How does Firebird client/server compare to DB2 Express C

Question

I was about to use Firebird for a project, when someone told that DB2 Express C is also free, and with plethora of tools, and is also mature.

I read Firebird is also good for use as enterprise client/server database.

Then how does it compare to DB2 Express C?

Could the experienced ones shed some light on this.

Answer 1

The only goal of DB2 Express C is to use DB2 after.

There is some limitation here

• Processor: 2 cores
• Memory: 2 GB

Althought DB2 is not open source.

I think Firebird user are not the same as DB2 Express user.

Answer 2

I will start by saying that by being a DB2 guy I am naturally biased towards DB2. I also want to say that while I do have some hands on experience with Firebird, this was years ago before it was even called Firebird. So, I don't think I should be relied on for any direct comparisons of the two.

There are many DBMS out there and sometimes several may be a good choice for the same project. DB2 Express-C is a great choice if you are looking for a database that:

• is FREE but you don't particularly care about having access to its source code because it is not open source. However, it is free (as in beer) for development, production and even redistribution as part of a commercial application. In this way it is "more free" than some of the open source DBMS (e.g. MySQL requires that you sign and pay for an OEM agreement) if you wan tot redistribute
• Your customers will easily accept because it is part of their corporate standard. We work with many ISVs who see DB2 Express-C as a way in to larger corporate accounts. In many cases these accounts will not accept some of the open source databases for a variety of reasons
• You care about XML. DB2 Express-C has a hybrid database engine that provides very sophisticated functionality for both relationally structured data as well as XML data. It also had built-in capabilities for directly interacting with web services
• You care about using leading edge trusted technology that is used to process billions of critical business transactions every day by airlines, retailers, banks etc.
• You need to have DBMS technology that you will not hit a wall and will not embarrass you in the process no matter how big your customer gets

Basically, DB2 Express-C is real DB2 (exactly the same code). It is the same DB2 that is used by worlds largest companies but you get it for free. If this appeals to you, than by all means go with DB2 Express-C and you will not be disappointed. If you do decide to give DB2 Express-C a try (and even if you don't), I recommend you also get a free book on DB2 Express-C.

Answer 3

I would start with Firebird Facts http://www.firebirdsql.org/guide/Firebird_Factsheet.pdf There are no real limits for Firebird and another good part that it comes with a real open source license so you can modify and deploy it how you want with your delphi/c#/php... application , You can use it as small embedded dll or you can use it as multithreaded server with many benefits when you have more cores in the deskopt/server machine So compared with db2 express is no brainer that we support more than Processor: with only 2 cores And more than 2G of ram (that is the very small in my opinion)

The true freedom comes that you can send the patches/enhancements back if you find some bugs (yes all database engines have them) and you can join Firebird community and be an open source developer or a community member if you want.

Answer 4

One of the thing to consider with Firebird is its poor WAN performance. If you're going to be accessing a database on a remote PC or even setup data replication over a WAN network, then Firebird may not be for you.