MySQL migration tool goes beta

Open source database company MySQL on Tuesday released a beta version of a tool that it claims makes it significantly easier for a companies to migrate to MySQL from certain proprietary databases.

The tool, MySQL Migration Suite, allows schema objects such as tables and views to be automatically migrated from an Oracle or Microsoft Access database to MySQL. The company plans to add support for Microsoft SQL Server, Sybase, IBM DB2, and Informix in the future.

David Axmark, a co-founder of MySQL, said the tool can carry out the majority of the migration work for simple database implementations, but will not be able to migrate code that does not adhere to ANSI standards — such as Oracle PL/SQL stored procedures.

"For people who only use basic SQL it [the MySQL Migration Suite] will do 90 percent," said Axmark. "The more triggers and stored procedures you use the less it will do."

The migration tool generates reports that enable database administrators to pinpoint what objects have not been migrated.

The beta version of the Suite will be available for download free of charge from the MySQL Web site from some time on Tuesday afternoon.