no more mysql binaries?
By Justin silverton
In a recent decision by the people over at mysql, the latest community (Open source) edition of the database system will no longer be available for download in binary form (it looks like both windows and linux binaries are still on 5.27 and the lastest is 5.33). This means that if you want to use the latest version, you will have to have the following installed on your system to first compile it from source:
- Visual Studio .Net 2003 (7.1) compiler system
- Between 3GB and 5GB disk space.
- Windows XP, Windows 2000 or higher.
Another interesting statement found here says the following:
“Providing and verifying binaries is a paid-for service for those who want to spent money to save time”
It looks like if you want the official binaries, you need to pay to download them. It appears that mysql is starting to make it harder and harder to use their software without paying a licensing fee.
6 Comments so far
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I’ve been a long time MySQL fan but this move by the MySQL team seriously makes me consider switching over to PostgreSQL.
I’d like to clarify this subject:
…the latest community (Open source) edition of the database system will no longer be available for download in binary form… and It looks like if you want the official binaries, you need to pay to download them.
This is simply not true. Please read Kaj’s latest Blog post more carefully:
We strive to release MySQL Enterprise Server on a monthly basis. While we don’t have a specific schedule or policy for when MySQL Community Server is released in binary form, I expect the next Community release, 5.0.35, to be available as source and binaries for the same platforms as MySQL Enterprise Server and as the previous MySQL Community Server binary release 5.0.27.
Something similar is stated on the :
In contrast to the MySQL Enterprise Server, which receives both monthly rapid updates and quarterly service pack releases, there is no specific schedule for when a new version of the MySQL Community Server is released. While every bug fix that has been applied to the Enterprise Server will also be available in the subsequent Community Server release, there will be source-only releases in between full (source and binary) Community builds. So while the latest published community sources will always be available from the Source Downloads Section, the binaries listed on this page may be from a previous release. In any case, full binaries for all our supported operating systems are and will remain conveniently available from this page.
Lenz,
Thanks for the clarification. I have written about it in my latest article.
Well, as you said building costs time and money. There will be binary releases for Windows and other platforms, of Community. Just not as often as they were. Still the source will be available for the ones who want to compile themselves. If someone evaluates MySQL then he can use a bit older binary, it won’t probably crash, if it does so MySQL will release hot-fix.
Andrey
[…] For those still concerned, I’d like to point out to Kaj’s Community Server recap. Don’t misunderstand point #4, as that is clearly in the Enterprise context, and its something we like to use in MySQL talks to talk about differentiation. If you’ve ever been to an overview talk, there are even clever icons that basically spell out that Enterprise customers like to spend money to save time, while Community folk enjoy spending time to save money. […]
After the Licensing issues, I already switched my apps from mysql to postgresql. And I have to agree, I am amazed!!.