Oracle Spatial vs. PostgreSQL/PostGIS

[Fernando Siimon]

Hi,
    This question we did when we started to develop using 
PostgreSQL/PostGIS.
    The first thing that you can check is the time to return the results 
of query's, PostgreSQL is more quickly (using geom too), but an Oracle 
with a good tunning can be very close of the PostgreSQL performance. 
Exist others parameters that you need to check before to choose the data 
base. The architecture of Oracle is more complex(redo logs, archives 
log, PGA, indexes...) than PostgreSQL and it will impact in the 
performance, but Oracle is much more secure than PostgreSQL. I believe 
that the security is a factor that you need to consider.
    For spatial data the crucial difference between te DB's is how they 
implement the support of data, Oracle/Oracle Spatial  use a Object 
Oriented to store the geom data and contains many complex spatial 
functions and operators, Oracle Spatial contains many functions that you 
can use to obtain the same result, you can choose the appropriate for 
your scope. PostgreSQL/PostGIS don't use this way to store geom data, 
and contain many spatial functions too. Of course that sintax of two DB 
for the functions is different, but the result if you apply in your data 
will be the same.
    It's always a hard decision, the correct DB needs to considerate 
many other factors, here we use the two DB and have good return of both. 
PostgreSQL/PostGIS is a good database, im my opinion is the best 
opensource database. Oracle is a good database too, I belive that is the 
best database at the momment.
    Thanks.

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Fernando Simon
Mapserver and Oracle Spatial developer
G10 - Laboratorio de Computacao Aplicada - Brazil
http://g10.cttmar.univali.br - UNIVALI/CTTMAR
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India wrote:

>I have a rather general question for this list-serv, which I hope is
>appropriate, but would appeciate any input. I am a graduate student
>researching the design and implementation of web-based decision support
>tools. I am particularly interested in Open Source/Distributed GIS
>development with Flash Interface design.
>
>What are advatages/disadvantages from the Mapserver users perspective on
>using the PostgreSQL/PostGIS database versus Oracle Spatial, aside from
>the obvious expense of Oracle?
>
>  
>