No more mySQL? • Hacker News Board

Re: No more mySQL?

#11

Post by coffeemug » Thu, Oct 29, 2009, 10:46 AM UTC

ErrantX wrote: post #9

coffeemug wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How could GPL software disappear?

future versions / developments could disappear (or be licensed as closed source). I imagine that is what is meant.

You cannot relicense GPL as closed source (i.e. you could stop licensing the code to all parties that want an exclusive, but you can't "close" the existing branches and you can't prevent forks).

The fact that the core team can stop development is a much more concrete problem. I wouldn't worry about it though, it's too valuable for too many people. Percona is patching MySQL, along with Google, Facebook, Monty's MariaDB company, etc. If anything, MySQL is more alive than ever before.

Re: No more mySQL?

#12

Post by profquail » Thu, Oct 29, 2009, 10:47 AM UTC

coffeemug wrote: post #5

profquail wrote: post #4

So if MySQL disappears (at least, stops having new releases), what does it mean for RethinkDB? (Their software is a drop-in storage engine for MySQL).

How could GPL software disappear?

Sorry, I should clarify...I meant to say, "stops getting updated", "is forked", etc.

If Oracle stops developing MySQL, then it's forked, will larger software companies balk at deploying the forked versions, given that the developer base is fractured (and thus might not be able to find/patch bugs as well)?

Re: No more mySQL?

#13

Post by ErrantX » Thu, Oct 29, 2009, 11:38 AM UTC

coffeemug wrote: post #11

ErrantX wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

future versions / developments could disappear (or be licensed as closed source). I imagine that is what is meant.

You cannot relicense GPL as closed source (i.e. you could stop licensing the code to all parties that want an exclusive, but you can't "close" the existing branches and you can't prevent forks). The fact that the core team can stop development is a much more concrete problem. I wouldn't worry about it though, it's too valuable for too many people. Percona is patching MySQL, along with Google, Facebook, Monty's MariaD…

Well the other guy was talking about future updates/changes. Which can completely be license differently.

Oracle could make some changes and release it under Foo license tomorrow if they wanted.

Re: No more mySQL?

#14

Post by ruivieira » Thu, Oct 29, 2009, 12:37 PM UTC

To be honest, I hope MySQL is forked and given proper attention by the community.

IMO many people refrain to commit mental energy contributing to it since it's so involved in politics, high-profile corporate dramas and lack of proper steering.