MySQL encourages partners to build data storage engines

20.04.2006
MySQL AB plans to wean itself from dependence on erstwhile rival Oracle Corp. by building a data storage engine to work with its open-source database and will encourage other firms to create compatible storage engines, MySQL CEO Marten Mickos said Wednesday.

Mickos said the storage engines, which users can swap in and out depending on their requirements, should appeal to customers moving to componentized, service-oriented architectures (SOA). 'We'll let users switch between a V-4 engine and a V-12 without having to get out of their car,' he said.

Cupertino, Calif.-based MySQL next week plans to announce at its user conference in Santa Clara, Calif., the release of an application programming interface (API) for its pluggable database storage engine.

MySQL is unusual among popular databases in that it allows users to easily switch between storage engines. Mickos said it offers a more flexible alternative to database vendors such as Oracle and IBM, which sell several versions of their flagship databases with different prices and limitations.

Solid Information Technology Inc., a maker of embedded databases for telecommunications equipment, has already confirmed that it plans to release an open-source storage engine that will work with MySQL. Several other vendors and community projects are expected to announce their plans next week to build a storage engine, though Mickos declined to name them.

The most popular storage engine now for MySQL is InnoDB. InnoDB's parent company, Innobase OY Inc., was bought by Oracle last October, sparking fears that Oracle might cut MySQL customers off from using InnoDB. That didn't happen, and MySQL even renewed its contract earlier this month for Oracle to continue developing Innobase for MySQL users for an undisclosed number of years.