Critical Skill 1.3 Choose Your Development and Deployment Environments

You can install MySQL on both Windows and Linux platforms. Within the context of MySQL, there is little or no difference in the way it looks and feels to the user on either platform. However, the verbal battle continues between these two major operating systems (OSs). Lines are drawn in the sand, insults are hurled, and printed T-shirts are wornall in the name of what each side fervently believes is the one true, best OS.

All the hoopla and proselytizing can make what should be a calm and logical decision seem difficult. Fortunately, there are some criteria to help you decide which OS to use for your MySQL database.

Applying Broad Criteria

To start the decision process, consider three broad criteria:

The size of the project
Whether equipment is already available or must be purchased
The technological level of the participants

If, for instance, the project is a hobby or home-based business, and you already own an adequate PC complete with an operating system you are already familiar with, it might not make sense to change to another OS. You would only be adding time (learning all new software) and expense (new software at the very least and possibly a new, upgraded computer to run it on) to the project.

On the other hand, you might be a corporation that needs multiple computers for multiple users, with technologically aware employees . The upgrading to new equipment may already be viewed as a necessary cost of maintaining the competitive status of your company or its product. Then the next step of narrowing down the decision process is more important.

Narrowing the Decision

Here are seven basic areas that are often used to evaluate an OS:

Ease of use
Reliability
Speed
Functionality
Integration with Microsoft technologies
Availability of free/ open source software
Price

Lets take them one at a time.

Ease of Use

Ease of use can be argued from either side, but it has always been considered a given that Windows was easier to use because of its focus on user-friendliness. However, over time, the Linux side of the argument has progressed to the point that the difference, if any, is fairly negligible. What used to be a big issue is now pretty much an even draw.

Reliability

If reliability is defined as hours of continuous use without needing to reboot the system, then Linux is clearly the winner. However, for most users outside certain environments (like real-time displays of critical information or Internet servers), the occasional reboot is not a critical issue. And perhaps you normally shut down your computer on a fairly regular basis anyway. Once again, both sides come out fairly even, except for continuous use situations, where Linux has the advantage.

Speed

Speed is another variable that changes as rapidly as the latest advances in both hardware and software. Once again, certain areas of use (most notably Internet servers required to handle huge volumes of information transfers) may find the Linux side of the debate handles individual file transfers faster, especially in an Internet environment. However, for most uses, there is no practical difference in speed between the OSs.

It should be noted, however, that some programs operate faster on one OS than they do on the other. For example, MySQL, depending on the situation, can operate 30 to 50 percent faster on Linux than it does on Windows. If your database is being accessed by large numbers of users simultaneously , this could be very important. If only one or a few users access it at any given time, speed becomes less of a factor on which to base your decision.

Functionality

Functionality refers to the availability of programs to perform needed functions on a particular OS. This used to be a big bone of contention , with many more programs developed for the Windows OS than for Linux. These days, almost everything that can be done on one platform can be done with the other, although it is usually accomplished with different programs. There are more programs than ever that have been ported to work on both OSs. If the same program isnt available, usually other software can obtain the same end results.

So, if ease of use, reliability, speed, and functionality of the two OSs are more or less similar, we are still at a draw in the decision-making process, so lets continue.

Integration with Microsoft Technologies and Free/Open Source Software

Two areas where there will always be clear differences are integration with Microsoft technologies and availability of free or open source software. Windows will probably always come out ahead with regard to integration with Microsoft technologies. Linux will probably always come out ahead when youre considering the availability of free or open source software.

If you are already significantly invested in specific programsthrough cost, industry standards, or experience in its useit may make sense for you to stick with the OS that supports those programs. Occasionally, a specific program will function on both OSs. Then it is wise to look at how long it has been available for each OS. The one that has been available longer will be more robust and reliable, given that it has had more operational time for bug fixes and enhancements to occur.

Price

This leaves us with the final point of comparison: price. This is the one area where Linux is the undisputed winner. The development costs of software in an open source environment are often spread among many companies, and the licensing structure exists to promote that style of development (rather than enable a single company to recoup its much higher, individual development costs). Linux products are distributed free or at comparatively reduced fees, and they are often packaged in convenient bundles. If you decide to purchase the open source software, it is usually offered with support services at a much lower rate than proprietary software could ever afford to match.

Whether you are a private user or a company of whatever size, you can use the criteria described here to make an informed decision, without relying on the rhetoric of the entrenched proponents of both Windows and Linux. As in many areas, cost seems to be the overriding criteria, with the other six jockeying for place, depending on the type and complexity of your specific project. Whichever one you choose in the end, base that choice on reasons that make sense to you and apply to your specific situation.

Once youve decided on an OS, youre ready to install MySQL. Read the next Critical Skill section if youre using Windows, or skip to Critical Skill 1-5 if youre installing MySQL on a Linux system.