Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Berkeley DB VS GDBM

Compare Berkeley DB VS GDBM and see what are their differences

Berkeley DB logo Berkeley DB

Berkeley DB (BDB) is a software library that provides a high-performance embedded database for...

GDBM logo GDBM

GNU dbm (or GDBM, for short) is a library of database functions that use extensible hashing and...
  • Berkeley DB Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-26
  • GDBM Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-05-19

Berkeley DB features and specs

  • Embedded Database
    Berkeley DB operates as an embedded database, meaning it runs within the application process, which enhances performance by eliminating inter-process communication delays.
  • Efficient Data Storage
    It provides highly efficient data storage, capable of managing large volumes of data with minimal overhead, making it suitable for resource-constrained environments.
  • High-performance
    The database is optimized for high performance with quick read and write operations which can be beneficial for applications requiring real-time data processing.
  • Multi-language Support
    Berkeley DB supports multiple programming languages, including C, C++, Java, Perl, and Python, enhancing its flexibility and usability in various development environments.
  • ACID Transactions
    It offers full ACID transaction support which ensures data integrity and reliability even in the occurrence of system failures.
  • Various Access Methods
    The database allows various data access methods including B-trees, hash tables, fixed or variable-length records, facilitating diverse use cases.

Possible disadvantages of Berkeley DB

  • Complexity
    Berkeley DB can be complex to configure and manage compared to more simplified database solutions, which might require a steep learning curve for new users.
  • Limited to No SQL
    It lacks native SQL support, which limits its use for applications that require complex querying capabilities inherent to SQL-based databases.
  • Standalone Features
    As an embedded database, it does not offer standalone database server features or client/server architecture, which may not align with all system architectures.
  • Limited Scalability
    Though efficient for embedded use, scaling Berkeley DB for large distributed systems can be challenging compared to databases designed for distributed architecture.
  • Oracle Licensing
    As a product owned by Oracle, users may face licensing challenges or restrictions, especially if integrating into larger Oracle-dependent ecosystems.

GDBM features and specs

  • Simple API
    GDBM provides a simple and intuitive API for database operations, making it easy for developers to integrate and use in different applications.
  • Lightweight
    As a lightweight library, GDBM requires minimal system resources, making it suitable for projects where memory and processing power are constrained.
  • Fast Access
    GDBM offers fast data retrieval and storage due to its key-value store design, which can be advantageous for applications needing quick database interactions.
  • Open Source
    Being open source, GDBM allows developers to modify, distribute, and use the code freely, fostering collaboration and customization.

Possible disadvantages of GDBM

  • Limited Scalability
    GDBM is not designed for large-scale applications, which can hinder performance and data handling capabilities as database size grows.
  • Lack of Advanced Features
    Compared to more comprehensive database systems, GDBM lacks advanced features like transactions, data indexing, and complex querying.
  • Single Process Access
    GDBM is designed primarily for single process access, making concurrent access by multiple processes challenging and requiring additional mechanisms for consistency.
  • File-based Storage
    Being file-based, GDBM can become limited by file system constraints, such as file size limitations and file lock issues.

Berkeley DB videos

Introduction to persistency and Berkeley DB

GDBM videos

C Programming in Linux Tutorial #073 - GDBM Embedded Database

More videos:

  • Review - GDBM Pantsdown BodyJam 69

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Berkeley DB and GDBM)
NoSQL Databases
43 43%
57% 57
Databases
43 43%
57% 57
Key-Value Database
46 46%
54% 54
Relational Databases
41 41%
59% 59

User comments

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Berkeley DB and GDBM, you can also consider the following products

Kyoto Cabinet - Kyoto Cabinet: a straightforward implementation of DBM

Tokyo Cabinet - Tokyo Cabinet: a modern implementation of DBM

Redis - Redis is an open source in-memory data structure project implementing a distributed, in-memory key-value database with optional durability.

SQLite - SQLite Home Page

upscaledb - upscaledb - a blazingly fast embedded key-value store with analytical functions

memcached - High-performance, distributed memory object caching system