Ask YC: MySQL vs. SimpleDB for startups?

[kuldeep_kap]

Basically, currently we contemplating between MySQL db and cloud databases. We are looking for a scalable and reliable database. Consider large user data in multiples over 100k to 1M users. We understand that we need to make this decision sooner than later as it may get difficult to turn back. The things that worrying us are, 1. Is simpledb (by Amazon) is reliable? 2. Can professionals or enterprises or startups opt for simpledb. 3. what roadblocks we may get considering long term plans, if we opt for simpledb.

Please feel free to point databases other than these.

Even citation of other articles is appreciated.

Thank you.

[smoody]

Until Amazon adds the ability to sort result sets, then I imagine it won't work very well in scenarios where you have very large result sets and need to present sorted query results to users -- especially when pagination is required. Of course I haven't used SimpleDB personally and perhaps people have found a way around that limitation.

[kuldeep_kap]

Yes this is one pointer to study...there are some ways...but we will have to continue to study limitations in this direction too. thanks!

[Hates_]

My concerns about using something like simpledb would be about what if Amazon decided to discontinue the service, upgrade/change the service which broke your implementation etc etc. Personally I would not feel comfortable running my site on machines/software I did not have control over.

[ubudesign]

I'm not familiar with simpleDB but are you compairing a database server with a db service?