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Informix VS Microsoft SQL

Compare Informix VS Microsoft SQL and see what are their differences

Informix logo Informix

IBM Informix is a secure embeddable database optimized for OLTP and IoT data. Informix can seamlessly integrate SQL, NoSQL/JSON, and time series and spatial data.

Microsoft SQL logo Microsoft SQL

Microsoft SQL is a best in class relational database management software that facilitates the database server to provide you a primary function to store and retrieve data.
  • Informix Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-04
  • Microsoft SQL Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-01-26

Informix features and specs

  • High Performance
    Informix is optimized for high performance, making it suitable for handling large volumes of transactions and queries quickly and efficiently.
  • Embedded Database
    It can be embedded in applications, providing seamless integration that is ideal for IoT and edge computing environments.
  • Scalability
    Informix can scale to accommodate growing datasets and user loads, making it flexible for businesses of different sizes.
  • Hybrid Data Management
    Offers support for both SQL and NoSQL data models, allowing users to manage structured and unstructured data effectively.
  • Advanced Security Features
    Provides robust security mechanisms, including encryption, authentication, and access controls, to protect sensitive data.

Possible disadvantages of Informix

  • Complex Licensing
    The licensing model for Informix can be complicated, potentially leading to challenges in understanding costs and compliance.
  • Limited Popularity
    While powerful, Informix is less commonly used compared to other databases like MySQL or PostgreSQL, which may lead to a smaller community and fewer available resources.
  • Learning Curve
    Due to its extensive features and capabilities, new users might face a steep learning curve when getting started with Informix.
  • Dependency on IBM Support
    Businesses may become heavily reliant on IBM's support for maintenance and troubleshooting, which could entail ongoing costs.

Microsoft SQL features and specs

  • Comprehensive Feature Set
    SQL Server offers a wide range of features including advanced analytics, in-memory capabilities, robust security measures, and integration services.
  • High Performance
    With in-memory OLTP and support for persistent memory technologies, SQL Server provides high transaction and query performance.
  • Scalability
    SQL Server can scale from small installations on single machines to large, data-intensive applications requiring high throughput and storage.
  • Security
    SQL Server offers advanced security features like encryption, dynamic data masking, and advanced threat protection, ensuring data safety and compliance.
  • Integrations
    It easily integrates with other Microsoft products such as Azure, Power BI, and Active Directory, providing a cohesive ecosystem for enterprise solutions.
  • Developer Friendly
    It supports a wide range of development tools and languages including .NET, Python, Java, and more, making it highly versatile for developers.
  • High Availability
    Features like Always On availability groups and failover clustering provide high availability and disaster recovery options for critical applications.

Possible disadvantages of Microsoft SQL

  • Cost
    SQL Server can be expensive, particularly for the Enterprise edition. Licensing costs can add up quickly depending on the features and scale required.
  • Complexity
    Due to its comprehensive feature set, SQL Server can be complex to configure and manage, requiring skilled administrators and developers.
  • Resource Intensive
    SQL Server can be resource-intensive, requiring substantial hardware resources for optimal performance, which can increase overall operational costs.
  • Windows-Centric
    While SQL Server can run on Linux, it is primarily optimized for and tightly integrated with the Windows ecosystem, which may not suit all organizations.
  • Vendor Lock-In
    Being a proprietary solution, it can cause vendor lock-in, making it challenging to switch to alternative database systems without significant migration efforts.

Informix videos

The Truth Mobile investigates about Informix

More videos:

  • Review - Informix Update Statistics - Best Practices for Informix DBAs
  • Review - Informix Best Practices Webcast on Informix Auditing by Mike Walker

Microsoft SQL videos

3.1 Microsoft SQL Server Review

More videos:

  • Review - What is Microsoft SQL Server?
  • Review - Querying Microsoft SQL Server (T-SQL) | Udemy Instructor, Phillip Burton [bestseller]

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Informix and Microsoft SQL)
Databases
13 13%
87% 87
NoSQL Databases
35 35%
65% 65
Relational Databases
4 4%
96% 96
Development
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Informix and Microsoft SQL, you can also consider the following products

LiveCode Platform - It is Both Under the GPL and it is also Proprietary if using the GPL version the software you make...

MySQL - The world's most popular open source database

4D - 4D is a relational database management system and IDE.

PostgreSQL - PostgreSQL is a powerful, open source object-relational database system.

ESM Tools - ESM Tools is a powerful and widely known software development platform that comes with a centralized model infrastructure, providing the common frame for compiling, running, downloading, and organizing models (ones or multiple).

SQLite - SQLite Home Page