Comparing free software for spatial DBMSs

Comparing Free Software for Spatial Database Management Systems (DBMSs)

S.S. Smirnov ([email protected])Southern scientific research institute of marine fisheries and oceanography

(YugNIRO).

In the following presentation three popular freeware spatial DBMSs (PostgreSQL/PostGIS, SpatiaLite, MySQL) are briefly compared. Recommendations for choosing between them in relation to the pecularities of assigned task are given. The most popular free GIS software applications compatible with described database management systems are also mentioned.

Keywords: free software, spatial DBMS, GIS

Free software is computer software that is distributed along with its source code, and is released under terms that guarantee users the freedom to study, adapt/modify, and distribute the software. Free software is often developed cooperatively by volunteer computer programmers as part of an open-source software development project.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_software)

A spatial database is a database that is optimized to store and query data that represents objects defined in a geometric space. Most spatial databases allow representing simple geometric objects such as points, lines and polygons. Some spatial databases handle more complex structures such as 3D objects, topological coverages, linear networks, and triangulated irregular networks (TINs).

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spatial_database)

Database management systems (DBMSs) are specially designed applications that interact with the user, other applications, and the database itself to capture and analyze data. A general-purpose database management system (DBMS) is a software system designed to allow the definition, creation, querying, update, and administration of databases

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Database)

Basic Terms

SpatiaLiteSpatiaLite is a spatial extension to SQLite database core in order to get a fully functional Spatial DBMS, really simple and lightweight.SpatiaLite is not based on client-server architecture: a complete database simply is an ordinary file which can be freely copied and transferred from one computer/OS to a different one without any special precaution.

SQLite Administrator softwareSQLite Browser software

MySQLMySQL is the world's most widely used (as of July 2013) open-source database management system that runs as a server providing multi-user access to a number of databases. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MySQL)

MySQL is a popular choice of database for use in web applications. Free software projects that require a full-featured database management system often use MySQL.

For commercial use, several paid editions are available.

MySQL Workbench software

PostgreSQL/PostGISPostgreSQL is the world’s most advanced open source database. It has more than 15 years of active development and a proven architecture that has earned it a strong reputation for reliability, data integrity, and correctness. (http://www.postgresql.org/)

PostGIS is a spatial database extender for PostgreSQL. It adds support for geographic objects.

“pgAdmin” software

Features \ DBMS SpatiaLite MySQL PostgreSQL\PostGIS

Maintenance complexity(installation, development, administration)

Low Medium Medium

Spatial Abilities (storing and processing)

Medium Medium High

Licensing Free(MPL GPL LGPL)

Free (GNU GPL) for non-commercial use, proprietary license for commercial use

Free(FLOSS: BSD for PostgreSQL, GPL for PostGIS)

Free GUI Tools SQLite Browser, SQLite Administrator

MySQL Workbench pgAdmin

Resume Good solution for local geodatabase

Suitable for non-commercial projects

The most advanced and very popular free spatial DBMS

Comparing Free Spatial Database Management Systems

Free GIS Software that Supports Spatial DBMSsSoftware / DBMS SpatiaLite MySQL PostgreSQL\PostGIS

GvSIGû ü ü

Kosmoû ü ü

Quantum GISü û ü

MapWindow GISü û ü

uDIGû ü ü

At the present moment the most promising and functional free GIS applications are:• GvSIG and Kosmo (they are closely related projects)• Quantum GIS

Conclusion

For simple local geodatabase SpatiaLite is recommended. Certainly, it is also possible to use client-server DBMS for this purpose.

When choosing client-server spatial DBMS between MySQL and PostgreSQL – the last one (PostgreSQL/ PostGIS) is preferred.

Recommended free GIS software: Quantum GIS, GvSIG, Kosmo.

Thank you for your attention

Southern scientific research institute of marine fisheries and oceanography (YugNIRO).

S.S. Smirnov ([email protected])