Sun enters database market with MySQL purchase

Sun Microsystems is set to enter the database market, with the acquisition of MySQL AB. Sun announced today that it will acquire the open source database developer in a deal worth $1 billion.The acquisition has been made as part of Sun's aim to create an integrated web platform. MySQL is used by a large number of web companies, including Facebook and Google, and the developer has strong Web 2.0 credentials and expertise in the Software as a Service (SaaS) sector, enterprise and telecom.Sun will pay $800 million in cash and assume $200 million in options under the deal, which is due to close in Sun's fiscal Q3 or Q4 2008.