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Conference ulysse::rdb_vms_competition

Title:DEC Rdb against the World
Moderator:HERON::GODFRIND
Created:Fri Jun 12 1987
Last Modified:Thu Feb 23 1995
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1348
Total number of notes:5438

610.0. "CA-DB-VAX info needed" by IJSAPL::NOORT () Wed Apr 04 1990 15:05

	Hi,

	We try to sell Rdb in a big OLTP project (600 users and database
	about 8 Gb). The customer has to follow the companies rules
	included dbms and that is CA-DB-VAX.
	Can anyone give me info about the product CA-DB-VAX ?
	As far as I understood is it a product from Computer Associates.
	The questions I have :

	1  is it a real relational database management system ?
           (or is it perhaps IDMS/R for the VAX environment)
	2  does it support clusters and smp (high availability and seamless 
	   growth is required)
	3  what are the pro's and con's of CA-DB-VAX ?
	4  does it follow the standards (ANSI SQL etc)
	5  are there any references ?

	Any help will be appreciated.
		
	Regards Kees
T.RTitleUserPersonal
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610.1Sounds like Enterprise:DBNOVA::BOOTHWhat am I?...An Oracle?Mon Apr 09 1990 15:398
    CA-DB-VAX sounds suspiciously like what used to be IDMS/SQL, then
    Enterprise:DB. If it is indeed the old Cullinet product, then No, it
    will not support clusters, and it has a tiny, tiny market penetration.
    Can it do SMP? I don't know. Is it really relational? Yes.
    
    Trying to find a reference could be very interesting.
    
    ---- Michael Booth
610.2CA-DB/VAX -- IDMS/SQL -- E:DB31758::THOMASFri Apr 13 1990 04:4753
    CA-DB/VAX is in fact the old Cullinet relational VAX-based database.
    It has been know as Stellar, IDMS/D, IDMS/SQL, and Enterprise:DB.
    CA acquired Cullinet in September, hence its latest name change.
    As for your questions:
    
	1  is it a real relational database management system ?
           (or is it perhaps IDMS/R for the VAX environment)
    
           This database is purely relational.  It has nothing in common
           with IDMS/R.  It only speaks SQL.
    
	2  does it support clusters and smp (high availability and seamless 
	   growth is required)
    
           It supports clusters the way Sybase supports clusters.  ie, the
           database engine runs on one node in the cluster, although
           applications can run on any node in the cluster.  You will 
           definitely encounter a bottleneck on the one server node if
           you load it up with enough users.  Each user requires a separate
           process on the server node.  CA-DB/VAX does support SMP. 
           They've had very good benchmark results on SMP machines.
    
	3  what are the pro's and con's of CA-DB-VAX ?
    
        Pros:
           It's a solid DBMS.  The journal and recovery systems are good.
           It's a fast performer (until you hit the bottleneck).  It's
           got GREAT tools.  They have a fabulous forms/report painter
           and a code generator (COBOL, FORTRAN, BASIC, or C), and a
           built-in dictionary.  -- No doubt, the company selected 
           CA-DB/VAX for its tools.
        Cons:
           It runs out of steam when you add too many users.  600 users
           might cause some problems.  The 8 GB should be okay, though.
           There aren't many users out there.  CA-DB/VAX holds
           approximately 0.2% of the market.  You'll probably have trouble
           locating a good reference running OLTP applications.
           
	4  does it follow the standards (ANSI SQL etc)
    
           Absolutely (well at least as good as everyone else).  
           SQL DML is ANSI/ISO standard, with a few helpful extensions.
           SQL DDL is as standard as anyone's.
    
	5  are there any references ?

           Not many.  Contact your local CA office.
    
    Regards,
       
    Anne Thomas
    ex-Cullinoid and Enterprise:DB guru
                                       
610.3ME too!CGOO01::LMILLERNow try it once more ......Tue Apr 24 1990 02:276
    Thanks - I have just come across the same product in a client who
    wants his IBM IDMS/R to talk to his VAX CA:DB and talk to PCs as well.
    I'd never heard of it until last week!  What a coincidence.
    This is a good start - they may be open to RDB on VAX - we'll see.