An analytical framework for evaluating database management systems is presented. Four RDBMSs (relational database management systems) are chosen for design review: Sybase, Oracle, Ingres, and Informix. Five categories of design characteristics are considered: (1) query processing, (2) query optimization, (3) distributed query, (4) concurrency control, and (5) crash recovery. On the basis of the material considered here, Sybase appears to have the best distributed architecture and the most advanced transaction control, integrity checks, and crash recovery features.
