geo spatial application: mySql vs CouchDB vs others

I am developing an application on google map and checking out various options to store and retrieve spatial information within a bounding box.

Initially I thought MySql was not a good option, but after checking http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.6/en/spatial-analysis-functions.html and http://code.google.com/apis/maps/articles/phpsqlsearch.html, looks like I can use MySql and it does support my use cases.

I was also evaluating node.js and couchdb with geocouch.. With modules like socket.io, geo etc looks like this is also a开发者_运维知识库 good choice. check out the book "Getting Started with GEO, CouchDB, and Node.js". My application would be 1 page application and I do not foresee if I would require rdbms anytime in future.

i have also seen this - http://nodeguide.com/convincing_the_boss.html and this makes me little apprehensive about whether to go with node.js-geocouch....

If the architecture for your next apps reads like the cookbook of NoSQL ingredients, please pause for a second and read this.

Yes, Redis, CouchDB, MongoDB, Riak, Casandra, etc. all look really tempting, but so did that red apple Eve couldn't resist. If you're already taking a technological risk with using node.js, you shouldn't multiply it with more technology you probably don't fully understand yet.

Sure, there are legitimate use cases for choosing a document oriented database. But if you are trying to build a business on top of your software, sticking to conservative database technology (like postgres or mysql) might just outweigh the benefits of satisfying your inner nerd and impressing your friends.

What is your opinion ?

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GeoCouch sounds like a good solution in your case. If you want to have an easy installation, you can have a look at Couchbase Single Server, which is basically a CouchDB with GeoCouch included (check out the Developer Preview for 2.0.