Oracle is best!! no SQL Server is best!! lets discuss !!

Here its a hot discussion is going to start, some people say Oracle is best! and some says SQL Server is best!!

Lets see what we get conclusion

Platform comparison

SQL Server 2000 only works on Windows-based platforms, including Windows 9x, Windows NT, Windows 2000 and Windows CE.

In comparison with SQL Server 2000, Oracle 9i Database supports all known platforms, including Windows-based platforms, AIX-Based Systems, Compaq Tru64 UNIX, HP 9000 Series HP-UX, Linux Intel, Sun Solaris and so on.

Hardware requirements

To install SQL Server 2000, you should have the Intel or compatible platforms and the following hardware:

Hardware	Requirements
Processor	Pentium 166 MHz or higher
Memory	32 MB RAM (minimum for Desktop Engine), 64 MB RAM (minimum for all other editions), 128 MB RAM or more recommended
Hard disk space	270 MB (full installation), 250 MB (typical), 95 MB (minimum), Desktop Engine: 44 MB Analysis Services: 50 MB minimum and 130 MB typical English Query: 80 MB

To install Oracle 9i under the Intel or compatible platforms, you should have the following hardware:

Hardware	Requirements
Processor	Pentium 166 MHz or higher
Memory	RAM: 128 MB (256 MB recommended) Virtual Memory: Initial Size 200 MB, Maximum Size 400 MB
Hard disk space	140 MB on the System Drive plus 4.5 GB for the Oracle Home Drive (FAT) or 2.8 GB for the Oracle Home Drive (NTFS)

To install Oracle 9i Database under the UNIX Systems, such as AIX-Based Systems, Compaq Tru64 UNIX, HP 9000 Series HP-UX, and Sun Solaris, you should have the following hardware:

Hardware	Requirements
Memory	A minimum of 512 MB RAM
Hard disk space	4.5 GB
Swap Space	A minimum of 2 x RAM or 400 MB, whichever is greater

Performance comparison

It is not easy to make the performance comparison between SQL Server 2000 and Oracle 9i Database. The performance of your databases depends rather from the experience of the database developers and database administrator than from the database’s provider. You can use both of these RDBMS to build stable and efficient system. However, it is possible to define the typical transactions, which used in inventory control systems, airline reservation systems and banking systems. After defining these typical transactions, it is possible to run them under the different database management systems working on the different hardware and software platforms.

Both SQL Server 2000 and Oracle 9i Database support the ANSI SQL-92 entry level and do not support the ANSI SQL-92 intermediate level.

T-SQL vs PL/SQL

The dialect of SQL supported by Microsoft SQL Server 2000 is called Transact-SQL (T-SQL).

The dialect of SQL supported by Oracle 9i Database is called PL/SQL.

PL/SQL is the most powerful language than T-SQL

Feature	PL/SQL	T-SQL
Indexes	B-Tree indexes, Bitmap indexes, Partitioned indexes, Function-based indexes, Domain indexes	B-Tree indexes
Tables	Relational tables, Object tables, Temporary tables, Partitioned tables, External tables, Index organized tables	Relational tables, Temporary tables
Triggers	BEFORE triggers, AFTER triggers, INSTEAD OF triggers, Database Event triggers	AFTER triggers, INSTEAD OF triggers
Procedures	PL/SQL statements, Java methods, third-generation language (3GL) routines	T-SQL statements
Arrays	Supported	Not Supported

SQL Server 2000 and Oracle 9i limits

Feature	SQL Server 2000	Oracle 9i Database
database name length	128	8
column name length	128	30
index name length	128	30
table name length	128	30
view name length	128	30
stored procedure name length	128	30
max columns per index	16	32
max char() size	8000	2000
max varchar() size	8000	4000
max columns per table	1024	1000
max table row length	8036	25500
max query size	16777216	16777216
recursive subqueries	40	64
constant string size in SELECT	16777207	4000
constant string size in WHERE	8000	4000

Conclusion

It is not true that SQL Server 2000 is better than Oracle 9i or vice versa. Both products can be used to build stable and efficient system and the stability and effectiveness of your applications and databases depend rather from the experience of the database developers and database administrator than from the database’s provider. But SQL Server 2000 has some advantages in comparison with Oracle 9i and vice versa.

The SQL Server 2000 advantages:

• SQL Server 2000 is cheaper to buy than Oracle 9i Database.

• SQL Server 2000 holds the top TPC-C performance and price/performance results.

• SQL Server 2000 is generally accepted as easier to install, use and manage.

The Oracle 9i Database advantages:

• Oracle 9i Database supports all known platforms, not only the Windows-based platforms.

• PL/SQL is more powerful language than T-SQL.

• More fine-tuning to the configuration can be done via start-up parameters.