In the following presentation three popular freeware spatial DBMSs (PostgreSQL/PostGIS, SpatiaLite, MySQL) are briefly compared. Recommendations for choosing between them in relation to the pecularities of assigned task are given. The most popular free GIS software applications compatible with described database management systems are also mentioned.

1. Comparing Free Software for Spatial
Database Management Systems (DBMSs)
S.S. Smirnov (smirnov-kerch@mail.ru)
Southern scientific research institute of marine fisheries and oceanography
(YugNIRO).
In the following presentation three popular freeware spatial DBMSs
(PostgreSQL/PostGIS, SpatiaLite, MySQL) are briefly compared. Recommendations
for choosing between them in relation to the pecularities of assigned task are given.
The most popular free GIS software applications compatible with described
database management systems are also mentioned.
Keywords: free software, spatial DBMS, GIS

2. Free software is computer software that is distributed along with its source code,
and is released under terms that guarantee users the freedom to study,
adapt/modify, and distribute the software. Free software is often developed
cooperatively by volunteer computer programmers as part of an open-source
software development project.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_software)
A spatial database is a database that is optimized to store and query data that
represents objects defined in a geometric space. Most spatial databases allow
representing simple geometric objects such as points, lines and polygons. Some
spatial databases handle more complex structures such as 3D objects, topological
coverages, linear networks, and triangulated irregular networks (TINs).
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spatial_database)
Database management systems (DBMSs) are specially designed applications that
interact with the user, other applications, and the database itself to capture and
analyze data. A general-purpose database management system (DBMS) is a
software system designed to allow the definition, creation, querying, update, and
administration of databases
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Database)
Basic Terms

3. SpatiaLite
SpatiaLite is a spatial extension to SQLite database core
in order to get a fully functional Spatial DBMS, really
simple and lightweight.
SpatiaLite is not based on client-server architecture: a
complete database simply is an ordinary file which can
be freely copied and transferred from one computer/OS
to a different one without any special precaution.
SQLite Administrator softwareSQLite Browser software

4. MySQL
MySQL is the world's most widely used (as of July 2013)
open-source database management system that runs as a
server providing multi-user access to a number of
databases. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MySQL)
MySQL is a popular choice of database for use in web
applications. Free software projects that require a full-
featured database management system often use MySQL.
For commercial use, several paid editions are available.
MySQL Workbench software

5. PostgreSQL/PostGIS
PostgreSQL is the world’s most advanced open source
database. It has more than 15 years of active
development and a proven architecture that has earned
it a strong reputation for reliability, data integrity, and
correctness. (http://www.postgresql.org/)
PostGIS is a spatial database extender for PostgreSQL. It
adds support for geographic objects.
“pgAdmin” software

6. Features DBMS SpatiaLite MySQL PostgreSQLPostGIS
Maintenance complexity
(installation, development,
administration)
Low Medium Medium
Spatial Abilities
(storing and processing)
Medium Medium High
Licensing Free
(MPL GPL LGPL)
Free (GNU GPL) for
non-commercial use,
proprietary license
for commercial use
Free
(FLOSS: BSD for
PostgreSQL, GPL for
PostGIS)
Free GUI Tools SQLite Browser,
SQLite
Administrator
MySQL Workbench pgAdmin
Resume Good solution for
local geodatabase
Suitable for non-
commercial projects
The most advanced
and very popular free
spatial DBMS
Comparing Free Spatial Database Management Systems

7. Free GIS Software that Supports Spatial DBMSs
Software / DBMS SpatiaLite MySQL PostgreSQLPostGIS
GvSIG
  
Kosmo
  
Quantum GIS
  
MapWindow GIS
  
uDIG
  
At the present moment the most promising and functional free GIS applications are:
• GvSIG and Kosmo (they are closely related projects)
• Quantum GIS

8. Conclusion
For simple local geodatabase SpatiaLite is recommended.
Certainly, it is also possible to use client-server DBMS for
this purpose.
When choosing client-server spatial DBMS between
MySQL and PostgreSQL – the last one (PostgreSQL/
PostGIS) is preferred.
Recommended free GIS software: Quantum GIS, GvSIG,
Kosmo.

9. Thank you for your attention
Southern scientific research institute of marine fisheries and oceanography (YugNIRO).
S.S. Smirnov (smirnov-kerch@mail.ru)