On Monday, IBM introduced the free version of its DB2 database in an attempt to sway developers away from similar services offered by Oracle and Microsoft, CNET News.com reports.The database, deemed DB Express-C, is the same as IBM’s commercial databases but there are limits as to what hardware will run on it. The database can hold up to 4GB of memory, and there are currently no limits on the number of users or the size of the database itself. It can be used on systems with two processor cores, or even two dual-core chips on Advanced Micro Devices- or Intel-based servers, CNET reports. The move to offer the database free of charge comes shortly after IBM’s biggest rivals in the sector, Oracle and Microsoft, began offering free databases. The three competitors are vying for the allegiance of the world’s many software developers, who often influence companies’ technology purchasing decisions. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe IBM said it would offer an improved version of DB Express-C, currently code-named Viper, later this year. “Viper” will include XML and hybrid relational database features. -Al Sacco Related content feature Mastercard preps for the post-quantum cybersecurity threat A cryptographically relevant quantum computer will put everyday online transactions at risk. Mastercard is preparing for such an eventuality — today. By Poornima Apte Sep 22, 2023 6 mins CIO 100 CIO 100 CIO 100 feature 9 famous analytics and AI disasters Insights from data and machine learning algorithms can be invaluable, but mistakes can cost you reputation, revenue, or even lives. These high-profile analytics and AI blunders illustrate what can go wrong. By Thor Olavsrud Sep 22, 2023 13 mins Technology Industry Generative AI Machine Learning feature Top 15 data management platforms available today Data management platforms (DMPs) help organizations collect and manage data from a wide array of sources — and are becoming increasingly important for customer-centric sales and marketing campaigns. By Peter Wayner Sep 22, 2023 10 mins Marketing Software Data Management opinion Four questions for a casino InfoSec director By Beth Kormanik Sep 21, 2023 3 mins Media and Entertainment Industry Events Security Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe