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This is a decent list. Columns I'd like to see added: 1. Language the db is written in 2. Lines of code Popularity tells me little about how capable the de
by gwu78 13y ago
This is a decent list.
Columns I'd like to see added:
1. Language the db is written in
2. Lines of code
Popularity tells me little about how capable the developer is and the quality of the software.
- ams6110 13y agoHow do the implementation language and LOC counts tell you anything about the capability of the developer and the quality of the software?
- gwu78 13y agoSee my other reply. In short (pun intended), it is part of the heuristics I have developed over the years for evaluating software. I like small programs. That's not unheard of. I also look for programs that compile quickly and easily on more than one platform. The latter is actually of practical significance, since I cannot as quickly and easily try new software if it will not compile without modifications, or if it takes too much memory or too much time. If it takes me longer to compile some userland program that it takes me to compile my kernel, I'm more likely to look for lighter weight alternatives. Personally, I have not found popularity alone to be a reliable heuristic when it comes to software.
- andl 13y agoThey list the implementation language for many systems, e.g. for Oracle: http://db-engines.com/en/system/Oracle http://db-engines.com/en/system/Oracle Lines of code are typically not disclosed by the vendors; could be done for open-source databases, but then it's not obvious what really should be counted (eg. third party libraries/frameworks).
- gwu78 13y agoYeah, it's not easy to measure, since there is so much use of third party libraries.
- cynwoody 13y agoA famous computer entrepreneur had this† to say about the usefulness of the LOC metric: “Measuring programming progress by lines of code is like measuring aircraft building progress by weight.” †http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/536587-measuring-programming-progress-by-lines-of-code-is-like-measuring http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/536587-measuring-programming...
- gwu78 13y agoThank you. But that computer entrepreneur's products do not interest me. In fact they have cost me countless hours of wasted time. Another "computer entrepreneur" I know writes terse code. His company is on that db list. I'm not sure he has anything to say on the matter of LOC. He keeps his programs small and simple. As far as I'm concerned, that speaks for itself. And, if having the world's largest investment banks as loyal clients is any indication, his code is high quality. Anyway, I consider the code high quality. Now, I cannot prove that LOC is related to quality, but I know several programmers whose software I like very much who have a keen appreciation for brevity. Keeping things small and simple tells me something about the mind of the programmer. Not to mention is saves me time: less to read. I like things small and simple. Perhaps not all 'computer entrepreneurs' agree when it comes to software aesthetics.
- cynwoody 13y agoBased on that quote and my understanding of aeronautical engineering, I would say Mr Bill agrees with you. Even if, as you imply, he has been less than successful in achieving the goal.