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Datomic VS SAP MaxDB

Compare Datomic VS SAP MaxDB and see what are their differences

Datomic logo Datomic

The fully transactional, cloud-ready, distributed database

SAP MaxDB logo SAP MaxDB

The SAP MaxDB database (formerly SAP DB) is developed and supported by SAP AG.
  • Datomic Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-14
  • SAP MaxDB Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-09-07

Datomic features and specs

  • Immutability
    Datomic employs an append-only data model where data is never overwritten but instead appended, ensuring historical data is always available and providing strong consistency.
  • Time Travel Queries
    Datomic allows you to query the database as of any point in time, facilitating auditing and debugging by allowing easy access to historical data states.
  • Rich Data Model
    Supports complex data types like maps and sets directly within its schema, providing a flexible way to represent data.
  • ACID Transactions
    Datomic supports fully ACID-compliant transactions, ensuring reliable and predictable database operations.
  • Scalability
    Separates storage and compute, allowing for horizontal scaling of read operations, making it suitable for handling large datasets.
  • Query Flexibility
    Offers a powerful query language that supports recursive queries, making it suitable for complex data retrieval needs.

Possible disadvantages of Datomic

  • Complexity
    The architecture of Datomic can be complex to understand and implement, particularly for teams unfamiliar with its design principles.
  • Cost
    Can be expensive to operate, especially in a cloud environment, where costs increase with the amount of data stored and the compute resources required.
  • Limited Write Throughput
    Due to its append-only design, Datomic can have limited write throughput, which may not be suitable for applications with heavy write requirements.
  • Closed Source
    Datomic is a proprietary database system, which may not appeal to organizations that prefer open-source solutions.
  • Learning Curve
    Requires a learning curve as its conceptual model and query language are different from traditional databases, potentially requiring additional training.
  • Dependency on AWS
    Relying on AWS ecosystem for the storage backend can limit choices for deployment environments, impacting flexibility.

SAP MaxDB features and specs

  • Integration with SAP Products
    SAP MaxDB is closely integrated with other SAP products, making it a suitable choice for companies already using SAP solutions. This integration facilitates seamless data management and operations across SAP environments.
  • Cost-Effectiveness
    SAP MaxDB is available as a free database option, providing a cost-effective solution for organizations that need a reliable database management system without additional licensing costs.
  • Stability and Performance
    Designed for enterprise environments, SAP MaxDB offers robust stability and performance, effectively handling large volumes of data and multiple transactions, which is critical for business operations.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    SAP MaxDB supports multiple operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and Unix, enabling flexibility in deployment and management across various IT environments.
  • High Availability
    It provides features like database mirroring, backup, and recovery options to ensure high availability and data integrity, which are crucial for enterprise-grade applications.

Possible disadvantages of SAP MaxDB

  • Limited Community Support
    Compared to more widely adopted databases, SAP MaxDB has limited community support, which can pose challenges in finding solutions and resources for troubleshooting and optimization.
  • Complexity in Non-SAP Environments
    While optimal for SAP environments, using SAP MaxDB outside of SAP systems can introduce complexity in integration and may require additional expertise or custom solutions.
  • Lack of Advanced Features
    SAP MaxDB may lack some of the advanced features found in other major databases, such as cutting-edge analytics or extensive native support for non-relational data types.
  • Competitive Landscape
    SAP MaxDB faces stiff competition from other databases that offer more features, better performance, or larger user communities, potentially making it a less attractive option in non-SAP-centric settings.
  • Scalability Concerns
    Although adequate for many enterprise applications, there might be scalability limitations when compared to other databases designed specifically for web-scale applications.

Datomic videos

KotlinConf 2018 - Datomic: The Most Innovative DB You've Never Heard Of by August Lilleaas

More videos:

  • Review - "Real-World Datomic: An Experience Report" by Craig Andera (2013)
  • Review - Rich Hickey on Datomic Ions, September 12, 2018

SAP MaxDB videos

No SAP MaxDB videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Datomic and SAP MaxDB)
Databases
68 68%
32% 32
Relational Databases
65 65%
35% 35
Network & Admin
58 58%
42% 42
NoSQL Databases
75 75%
25% 25

User comments

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Datomic and SAP MaxDB, you can also consider the following products

MySQL - The world's most popular open source database

Valentina Server - Valentina Server is 3 in 1: Valentina DB Server / SQLite Server / Report Server

MongoDB - MongoDB (from "humongous") is a scalable, high-performance NoSQL database.

Matisse - Matisse is a post-relational SQL database.

Datahike - A durable datalog database adaptable for distribution.

MarkLogic Server - MarkLogic Server is a multi-model database that has both NoSQL and trusted enterprise data management capabilities.