Sybase is good (tm)

I have been building some sample databases and code with Sybase, and I have to say i'm pretty impressed so far.

First of all you can download non-time limited developer versions of their software for free (for Linux, Windows, MacOS X and more!):

http://www.sybase.com/downloads

Second, installing and configuring is a snap.

Third, it seems solid and fast so far—and the sql implementation is as solid and thorough as you could ask for (well, so far, and it is a bit old-school...).

Two slight tricks

1. to get the Perl DBD::Sybase driver running, you need to use slightly different libraries (from what I can tell). I used the information on this page to good effect.
2. In addition, I am somewhat confused by the sybase terms of "server" and "database". After finding this email list thread (ASA Error -83: Specified database not found) I used the database name as the server name, and voila...

Update: At my current employer I use a lot of Sybase. It's not cool. It's not particularly bad, it's just that it lacks some key usability features for developers that makes it unwieldy. If money is no object, stick with Oracle. If money is an object, I would go with Postgresql every time...

Update2: You will find a somewhat less positive attitude at my more recent blog entry: Sybase, it's Californian for ****.