Wow, this is a big step, and one which will make its SQL server offering more likely to be employed.

i moved from sqlserver to mysql some years ago when i moved to a redhat.

at the time, imho, it was much better than mysql - no comparison really.

i'm sure it has kept getting better, so this is a really big step and a good one.

I can see advantages over MySQL, but why would you use it rather than Postgres, Oracle or DB2?

I can see how this could be a game changer for some, eventually. Asking Linux users to trust anything Microsoft is a stretch in itself. The thing that makes SQL Server great for me is that you can get it on most shared Windows hosting accounts (often for free like MySQL) and when you couple that with SQL Management Studio, it's a really flexible and powerful RDBMS. In that particular scenario, it's a far more friendly system than MySQL and the arcane management systems build for it, IMHO.

From an enterprise perspective, I don't know if it can compete with Oracle, DB2 or Postgres but who knows. Again, at that level, it's tough to teach old dogs new tricks. Only time will tell.

I am not a fan of MySQL either - I use Postgres whenever I can so personally that would be most interesting comparison.

I feel the big news is not that there is another RDBMS available for Linux, but the change in attitude at MS.

Wow! We're in the process of moving our data from MSSQL to MySQL and I really don't like the loss of functionality from not having Management Studio.

The licensing costs (and the amount of time needed to try to figure them out!) are the main reason for switching. As I suspect they'd carry over to Linux, I doubt we'd be switching back.

However, if/when we have the need for enterprise level, that might be a different story. Assuming similar costs, I'd probably prefer to go back to MSSQL than switch (again) to Oracle or something else.

Good thing for users using Linux.

Microsoft provides a few more details on its SQL on Linux plans

https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/dataplatforminsider/2016/03/15/data-driven-top-10/ [blogs.technet.microsoft.com]

Data Driven Top 10

We'll first release the core relational database capabilities on Linux targeting mid calendar year 2017 and will work with customers to prioritize the additional capabilities. The core relational database capabilities, inclusive of transaction processing and data warehousing, are the core foundation of building intelligent applications and will enable customers to get started quickly with their deployments.