You don't hear a lot of pronouncements out of MySQL AG, supplier of the open database system these days. But behind the scenes, it's making plenty of noise. That's just because it's gaining as the database of choice among developers, according to an Evans Data survey. Also, a trick Google search on MySQL yields surprising results.

The non-aligned programmer survey firm, Evans Data, asked developers at 517 companies in its 2006 winter survey what database they developed with. Microsoft's SQL Server remained the leader in the field, with 61% of developers using it.

Number two this time around was MySQL, after a 25% jump in developer mindshare from 32% the year before to 40%.

The database systems that are slipping include Microsoft Access, now number three, with 38%; Oracle 10g with 22% and Oracle 9i with 20%. Add the two Oracles together, and they still edge out MySQL. But if the trend continues, MySQL will get the upper hand in this year's survey.

Many developers use more than one database, so the figures add up to more than 100%.

The database use survey was conducted across large enterprises and small and medium businesses in North America. That makes me think MySQL has got a stronger hold on future developers' loyalties than we realize. MySQL CEO Marten Mickos once advised me to go to www.google.com/trends, enter MySQL as the keyword, and see what the search yields. What you get back are the 10 locations that are most frequently searching on that word.

Enter MySQL, and the locations are all outside North America and only two in Western Europe. They are: 1) Prague in the Czech Republic, 2) Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, 3) Bucharest in Romainia, 4) Tokyo and 5) Chiyodo in Japan, 6) Hong Kong, China, 7) Budapest, Hungary, 8) Chennai, India, 9) Oslo, Norway and 10) Stockholm, Sweden.

Software writers in developing economies love open source code, and it's going to be hard to get them off it if they use it as they mature their skills. For now, the open source code businesses remain somewhat low revenue producers compared to a Computer Associates or Oracle. But they are laying the groundwork for powerful, global businesses as development explodes among the young, enterprising economies of the world.