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Should we expect more db acquisitions?

Last month Sun announced it had acquired MySQL, which may very well be the most influential and widespread open source database in the world. Aside from a few announcements, there wasn't nearly as much comment on this as I expected.

Here are the databases that I see being supported at Sun:

• HSQLDB in Open Office
• Apache Derby
• MySQL

HSQLDB? You would agree that Sun is the largest supporter of Open Office, right? I mean even though OO is open source, that doesn't mean it doesn't have huge corporate sponsorship. And that huge corporate sponsor is Sun, which donates time, material, money, employees, and advertisiing to Open Office. Open Office has adopted HSQLDB as its internal database. Surely HSQLDB's project gets support from Sun too. After all, it is an integral and important part of the Open Office suite.And its a 100% Java implementation. Maybe this isn't an expensive investment compared to MySQL...but why bother with HSQLDB, especially when you have this next db?

Apache Derby. Sun's branding calls this Java DB, but underneath, it's still Apache Derby. Derby is the 100% Java database that supposedly can scale from embedded applications to larger, departmental, transactional apps too. Impressive for sure, but certainly duplicated by the HSQLDB product's abilities, no? Regardless of the overlap in abilities, these are two different products with different supporters and communities. Still, that's another db, and more money, time, and resources from Sun.

Then we have the heavier hitter, MySQL. And this is by far the biggest ticket item. What was the price? $1 billion? I put this db in a different league from HSQLDB and Derby. 100% Java? Not at all. However, it does have more enterprise credentials than either of the other databases. It's probably not fair to even put the others in the same arena as MySQL.

As I dig around, I see that Oracle purchased Innobase, the company that provides InnoDB within MySQL, a couple years ago. So, Oracle owns InnoDB, and Sun owns MySQL. Interesting, but what's that mean about InnoDB within MySQL now?

I see Sun developing more and more interest in database technologies, from small systems like HSQLDB and Java DB to the larger MySQL. It's a pattern, and I wonder what it means. Can we expect Sun to actively support and even purchase more db technologies? What might those be?

With limited time resources, I can't work on all the things I'd like to. I can't read all the books I would like to. I can't give to all the charities that deserve my attention -- or money. I think companies have similar constraints on their resources, money, employees, etc. As far as I can tell, Sun has now made committments to at least three different database systems. Which one will prevail at Sun, and which will get the resources to maintain itself?

Compared to Windows Vista, Java choices are simple

If you're a Windows user, you have a choice to make. Which version of Windows Vista do you need or want? Will you choose Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, Ultimate, or Enterprise? Oh, and don't forget Home Starter for those emerging markets...not available in the U.S. or other strong economies. As Java developers, we can't make a perfect comparison. Vista is more like a consumer product, and the Java Development Kit (JDK) is a developer product. But, still, we have easier, much more obvious choices when we upgrade.

The Java platform is available in 3 flavors: ME, SE, and EE. The choices are easy. If you want to develop for cell phones, PDAs, or other small, memory constrained devices, you'll want ME. For standard personal computers and desktop applications, give me the Standard Edition (SE) please. And if you're working with enterprise applications, I'll take the Enterprise Edition (EE), thank you very much. Easy. Easy.

Each Java platform offers developers significant advantages, whether it be a smaller memory footprint, a beautiful graphical interface, or support for transactions and web services. The distinctions are obvious, and the trade-offs are easy to understand. But Vista? Wow! I'm confused.

I have an aging XP system, and I think I need one of the Home versions, but I'm not sure. My home system isn't for business, so I don't think I need that. However, I do perform backups on occasion. It would be nice to have the backup support of the Business edition. And I do like to connect to my employer via VPN sometimes. That's business edition, right? However, if I get the Business edition, does that mean I can't easily cut DVDs, play music, and rip music cds? I want it all...ok that means I want the Ultimate edition, right? And does the Enterprise version mean it's optimized as a server? Or does that mean that I'm a business user in a larger enterprise? More confusion.

I suppose I don't have to worry much about it though. My primary apps have always been a browser, email app, editor, and the JDK. I can run those on any of those Vista configurations. If my customers (other Java developers) have the same needs, I guess the choice of OS won't matter much to them either. They won't even need to bother with Vista choices...they can pick Linux, Solaris, or even Mac OS X (with some restrictions). The Java platform makes your choice of OS trivial, even insignificant. And it's free!

What's the value of Sun Certification?

Last month the article Getting Sun Certified on the Java Platform appeared on the Java developer site. That article made me start thinking...when's the last time you saw a job ad that asked for a specific certification?

When I peruse job ads (it's sort of a hobby of mine), I notice the frequent request for a particular university degree (a BS in CS or maybe a MS in CS). However, I don't think I saw one ad last year that asked for candidates with "Sun Certified Web Component Developer" certification. Come to think of it, I don't recall seeing requests for any Sun certification. Why is that?

In my particular way of thinking, practical skills trump theoretical or academic skills for the vast majority of development/programmer jobs. Assuming similar experience levels, I might favor the applicant with the Enterprise Architect certification over the one with the MS in CS. However, I never see that. I see requests for school degrees, not professional certifications.

Are professional certifications valued in our industry? Do they have more or less weight than a graduate degree? If you hire programmers, developers, or architects, do you value certifications?

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