What Is an Open Source Database?

Jetstor offers a range of services and data storage solutions to help organizations design, implement, and manage their digital infrastructure, including installation, configuration, and support services. Read more about open-source databases in our guide.

What Is an Open-Source Database?

An open-source database management system is made available to the public for free under an open-source license. By definition, an “open-source” database means that the source code is freely available to anyone who wants to access it, modify it, or redistribute it. This kind of software is often used to create and manage databases of all types, including relational databases, document databases, and key-value stores.

Some popular open-source database management systems, or DBMS, include MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, and Apache Cassandra.

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Benefits of Open-Source Databases:

• Cost-effective: Open-source DBMS are often more affordable as there are no licensing fees associated with their use.
• Customization: Users have control over the software and can modify it to meet their specific needs.
• Scalability: Open-source systems are often scalable, making them a good choice for managing large data volumes or requiring specialized functionality.
• Community support: Active developer communities provide constant improvements and troubleshooting assistance.

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Challenges of Open-Source Databases:

• Lack of formal support: Unlike proprietary databases, formal support may be lacking, requiring reliance on community help or in-house staff.
• Technical expertise required: Open-source DBMS may require more technical knowledge for setup and maintenance.
• Limited features: Open-source software may not be as fully-featured or user-friendly as commercial products.

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Open-source databases are a powerful and flexible option for managing data. For organizations seeking cost-effective, customizable data management solutions, they present a great choice.

To learn more, reach out to Jetstor or check out our guide.

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