GreatBridge PostgreSQL 7.0.3 Review

Ok, so I'm not really a gung ho DBA. However, I'm enough of one to warrant a look at GreatBridge PostgreSQL. All I have to say is WOW! To date this has been the best database I have worked with yet. It was extremely easy to install, and easy to work with too. I'd have to say that it can rival even the very expensive commercial database software.

This particular distribution of PostgreSQL can be downloaded from the GreatBridge website, along with their tools and documentation in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format. I was lucky enough to get my grubby hands a hold of a "boxed" version. Inside were the CD and all of the documentation. This is really nice as I personally still like to read from an actual book. Not having to download it was really nice too.

Installation

I installed GreatBridge onto both Redhat 7.0 and RedHat 7.1 systems. Since the software is packaged as RPMs it was pretty easy. I would like to see a source installation in the future though. Although I personally prefer a RedHat distribution I still compile and install most of my software from source.

Their product is pretty good and I would like to see more platforms supported, as well as other Unix-like operating systems (OpenBSD, FreeBSD, etc). The install of Redhat 7.0 was a snap and I used the nifty graphical installer. Redhat 7.1 was a different story. I un-installed the current PostgreSQL then installed the GreatBridge distro using the command line. Great bridge installed on both systems without any hassle. The server was up and running with recommended tweaking in under 30 minutes.

Administration

I must point out that the included documentation was first rate! This is really kind of rare when dealing with OpenSource Software. It really looked like the manuals were written by actual technical writers. You get three manuals with the software: an Installation Guide, a Users Guide, and a Reference Guide. A great boon for the modern age is a GUI tool called PgAccess. This is a great featured TCL/TK client. With it you can manage users, create databases, write queries, etc. But if you are a console/terminal nut (like me) then you can still feel comfortable using psql.

Like I hinted psql lets you do everything that PgAccess does, but from a console. Another hint, be sure to read the documentation, well, unless you are a PostgreSQL god. Anyhow, make sure you read through and configure all of the options you need (text files). If you don't you may have some problems, as I'm sure all of you PostgreSQL Guru's will agree.

Supported Linux Distributions

Like most software, GreatBridge SQL has a list of supported platforms. But you may try to get it running under other versions, like me (RedHat 7.1). Distributions:

• Red Hat 6.1, 6.2, 7.0
• SuSE 6.4, 7.0
• Turbolinux 6.0.4
• Mandrake 7.2
• Caldera eServer 2.3

Summary

Well I have to say Kudo's for the folks at GreatBridge. As far as databases go, this one was really great to work with. For Database Developers looking to develop in OpenSource, use it. Also for DBA's or organizations looking for something different yet powerful then GreatBridge is for you. Even though I really like free software, if you can, purchase the software for the support and hardcopy documentation. I sent in one e-mail for technical support and it was answered promptly. The one gripe I can come up with is that the software comes packaged as RPM's only. Other than that it's great!