You also need to compare the features and capabilities of Oracle and MySQL, and see how they differ in terms of syntax, performance, security, and scalability.

Current information systems must deal with complex data management with regards on evolution over the time. There are several database systems with different data modelling principles, data handling ...

Oracle is determined to keep MySQL if it acquires Sun, but the reason likely has little to do with open source and everything to do with Microsoft. Oracle doesn't compete with open source.

Oracle Corp.’s $7.4 billion acquisition of Sun Microsystems Inc. will bring together the world’s most valuable relational database with the most popular open-source one — MySQL.

Percona continues to nip at Oracle's heels, releasing a free version of the open-source MySQL 5.6 database with advanced features similar to ones in Oracle's paid enterprise edition.