PostgreSQL and MySQL are relational databases that manage data in tables. These tables can be connected or linked based on data that is common to each. Relational databases allow your business to better understand the relationships among available data and help achieve new insights for making better decisions or recognizing new chances. PostgreSQL vs MySQL is important when choosing an open-source relational database management system. Both PostgreSQL and MySQL are time-proven solutions that can compete with business solutions such as Oracle and SQL Server. In this article, we will describe the differences between MySQL and PostgreSQL.
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What is SQL?
SQL stands for Structured Query Language. It is used to handle relational databases and perform different operations on their data. The purpose of SQL is to store, recover, handle, and operate data within a database management system. SQL was developed by IBM in the early 1970s and became publically in 1979. It is globally acknowledged as the standard relational database management system (RDBMS).
What is MySQL Database?
MySQL is a simple, fast, scalable, and easy-to-use open-source relational database system. It is efficient and user-friendly, making it one of the most recognizable technologies. You can quickly learn many MySQL ideas to create robust data storage systems using SQL. MySQL uses an access system that provides authentication through the hosting provider and an encrypted password system for security.
MySQL features include:
- SQL standard controls
- Transactions
- ACID compliance (atomicity, consistency, isolation, and durability)
How is MySQL Used?
MySQL is generally used as a web database to store various data types, from a single informative fact point to a complete list of product or service offerings for a company. It is the foundational component of LAMP (Linux Operating System, Apache HTTP server, MySQL RDBMS, and PHP programming language). This software stack model enables the creation of APIs, web applications, and websites.
Benefits of MySQL
The following are the benefits of MySQL:
Unmatched Data Security
Compared to other database management platforms — due to its use of Secure Socket Layer (SSL). It helps to secure data integrity, which makes it a famous database for web applications.
High Performance
MySQL’s storage-engine framework supports demanding applications with high-speed partial indexes, full-text indexes, and specific memory caches for superior database performance.
Scalability
Support for unlimited storage growth in a small footprint.
Flexible
Open-source framework with the backing for transactional processing, although not as flexible as non-relational databases such as NoSQL.
What is the PostgreSQL Database?
PostgreSQL, also known as Postgres, is the most advanced and open-source relational database with a strong reputation for its reliability and flexibility. It supports both non-relational and relational data types and become the first choice for companies due to its robust technology. PostgreSQL uses multi-version concurrency control (MVCC), allowing several writers and readers to work on the system simultaneously. It can easily manage complex queries.
PostgreSQL has the following features:
- Point-in-time recovery (PITR) to restore databases to a specific moment in time.
- Write ahead log (WAL) that logs all modifications to the database using tools such as pgBackRest.
- Stored procedures to develop and maintain custom subroutines.
How is PostgreSQL Used?
PostgreSQL is a “one-size-fits-all” solution for many businesses looking for cost-effective and efficient ways to enhance their Database Management Systems (DBMS). It is expandable and adaptable enough to support a combination of specialized use cases with a robust extension ecosystem. PostgreSQL is managed with an object-relational database management system (ORDBMS).
PostgreSQL delivers the perfect solution for company database administrators handling online transaction processing (OLTP) protocols for business activities, including e-commerce, customer relationship management systems (CRMs), and financial ledgers. It is also perfect for handling the data received, created, and developed analytics.
Benefits of PostgreSQL
The following are the benefits of PostgreSQL:
Open Source
The source code is freely available under an open-source license. It allows you to use, change, and execute it per your business requirements.
Reduce Costs
PostgreSQL is an open-source product that does not cost anything – no license fees. It’s free to use. You don’t need to worry about licensing costs, contract problems, and dealing with a high-budget project. It’s accessible to you when you want it and the way you want it.
Reliability
Numerous companies and people contribute to the project and have driven creation for over 25 years. The strong community guarantees that bugs are fixed without delay.
Security
There are multiple features for improved security, thanks to easy extensibility; however, if you use the right ones (TDE, Data Masking), you get a very secure database, which takes care of your most valuable asset – your information.
Scalability
Your PostgreSQL database can expand with you. There are numerous technical opportunities for using PostgreSQL at scale. That’s why your PostgreSQL database can grow with you and be as large as you require it.
How MySQL and PostgreSQL are same?
PostgreSQL and MySQL depend on SQL, the standard language for interaction with management systems. SQL allows tables to be joined using a few lines of source code with a simple structure and most nontechnical employees can learn easily and quickly.
With SQL, analysts are not required to know where the order table resides on disk, how to execute the lookup to find a detailed order, or how to link the order and customer tables. The database compiles the query and figures out the right data points.
MySQL and PostgreSQL support JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) to keep and transport data. However, PostgreSQL also supports JSONB, the binary version of JSON, which stops the duplication of keys and irrelevant whitespace. Both databases show robust community support in addition to traditional support mechanisms.
PostgreSQL vs MySQL: What Are the Differences?
There are many differences between PostgreSQL and MySQL. Some of the differences in features, functionality, and benefits are the following:
Database Type
MySQL: Relational
PostgreSQL: Object-relational
Programming Language
MySQL: C/C++
PostgreSQL: C
Support For CASCADE
MySQL: No
PostgreSQL: Yes
User Interface
MySQL: Workbench GUI
PostgreSQL: PgAdmin
Supported Procedure Complexity
MySQL: SQL syntaxes and stored procedures
PostgreSQL: Advanced procedures and stored procedures
Supported Index Type
MySQL: Binary Search Tree (B-Tree)
PostgreSQL: Many, including GIN and Hash
Encryption Between Client and Server
MySQL: Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol
PostgreSQL: SSL
XML Data Type Support
MySQL: No
PostgreSQL: Yes
Support For Materialized View and Table Inheritance
MySQL: No
PostgreSQL: Yes
Support For Advanced Data Types
MySQL: No
PostgreSQL: Yes – store and user-defined data
Support For Multi-version Concurrency Control (MVCC)
MySQL: No
PostgreSQL: Yes
Is PostgreSQL Better than MySQL?
PostgreSQL and MySQL are two of the most commonly used relational database management systems. Choosing the right relational database management system for your project may affect outcomes.
However, PostgreSQL is the better option going into the future. It has more features, and everything MySQL can do, it can make too. However, MySQL cannot do everything that PostgreSQL can. PostgreSQL has features like table partitioning and function overloading and manages concurrency better.
Is PostgreSQL Safer than MySQL?
PostgreSQL is more adaptable to SQL standards than MySQL. It also has such characteristics as authentication methods, roles for permissions, and no inter-base queries, among other things.
Remember that security flaws with database technologies usually lie with the programmer, not the database itself. They are protected enough for the necessary purposes (MySQL would not be such a popular option otherwise).
Is PostgreSQL Easier than MySQL?
Overall, PostgreSQL is not easier than MySQL in terms of practical application. It has more advanced features, and when learning PostgreSQL, you will have just a bit more than what you would with MySQL.
MySQL or PostgreSQL – Which is Better?
We examined the most prominent features of the two most broadly used RDBMS, PostgreSQL, and MySQL. There are multiple uses of PostgreSQL and MySQL and the option between them depends upon business objectives and resources. Here, you can check which option is better for your business. Both these DBMSs have some unique features, along with some similarities.
MySQL is perfect for your project if you need an RDBMS for web applications or custom solutions, but not if you need a fully SQL-adaptable RDBMS capable of performing complicated tasks quickly.
Contrarily, PostgreSQL is ideal for your project if your conditions revolve around complex procedures, integration, intricate designs, and data integrity. In general, PostgreSQL is a more robust, advanced database management system that is well-suited for a company that needs fast perform complex queries in a large environment. However, MySQL is an ideal solution for a company more denied by budget and space.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed the main differences between PostgreSQL vs MySQL. These had vital factors like speed, performance, syntax, extensibility, security, support and community, indexing, and architecture, among others, to support you make an educated decision regarding the tool that suits your unique business conditions. We concluded that it is a close fight between the two, with PostgreSQL and MySQL having different merits and challenges. The “right” choice will eventually come down to you and how you plan to operate your business. But if you are a beginner and have a small business, MySQL is the right option. Learn quick facts about MySQL in detail. This blog will help you a lot to run your business more efficiently and more effectively.