OpenDocDB is a joint effort to create an Open Standard, and a possible Reference Implementation for Document Databases

Why do we need an Open Standard for Document Databases?

Much like the early days of SQL, where a query language with variations was developed across multiple database products, the JSON document database industry faces similar crossroads: there are multiple implementations of document database products, with a different degree of compatibility with each other.

This means that migration between these products is challenging, if not impossible. The industry's fragmentation hints at a future where document databases might continue to develop substantial incompatibilities, leading to increased vendor lock-in and stifled innovation.

Our mission is to address these challenges by creating a workgroup dedicated to deciding on an open standard. This proposed standard will not only make document database workloads portable across different implementations but also ensure that the ecosystem grows in a less proprietary and more multi-vendor/multi-source nature.

By learning from the SQL standard's evolution – from proprietary implementations to a widely accepted and used open standard – we aim to foster an environment where innovation is encouraged, competition is healthy, and customers have the freedom to choose between vendors without the fear of lock-in.

Near-term Objectives

• Establish a Compatible Core: Define boundaries (within the MongoDB API) for portability across different implementations.

• Create and Draft Open Specification: Propose and refine a standard query language for document databases, ensuring it is as accessible, open, and vendor-neutral as SQL is.

• Ensure that the Draft Specification and any subsequent work will be governed by a Standardization Body at a vendor-neutral Foundation

Ideal Founding Members

1. Currently develop a MongoDB-compatible Document Database solution

2. Share the vision that there is a need for an Open Standard for Document Databases

3. Pledge to provide know-how, resources or source code to support this joint effort

4. Agree that the work of the OpenDocDB Workgroup should be inclusive regardless of any past, present or potential future commercial competition between members of the Workgroup

5. Agree that this work should be part of a foundation, or vendor-independent organization

Our Pledge

• Founding Members agree that the resulting Open Standard will comply with OSI's "Open Standards Requirement for Software", without exceptions.

• Founding members pledge to work together on creating the scope, legal environment and general direction of the organization.

• The current owner of this domain (Peter Farkas) agrees to transfer all assets (domain, all other materials) to a vendor-neutral foundation or organization, once the Workgroup finds a suitable home.

How to Join

For now, we are looking for Supporters for this project - companies and individuals who agree with the vision. Supporters are not expected to take part in the standardization work. Those looking to be Founding Members and take part in the standardization process are also encouraged to apply as a Supporter. If they meet the above criteria, they will be considered as a Founding Member.

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