I want to use a database, but I wonder which is better, PostgreSQL or MySQL…
There will be various questions such as what kind of strengths each has and how much it costs.
This time, I will introduce the differences between PostgreSQL and MySQL, and the advantages and disadvantages of each .
If you are considering using a database for system development, please refer to it.
Compare MySQL and PostgreSQL
Many people think that MySQL and PostgreSQL are the same RDB, so there is not much difference between them.
Of course, since they are both RDBs, there are some similarities, but the bottom line is that the design concepts are very different.
Compare MySQL and PostgreSQL from the following three perspectives.
History of MySQL and PostgreSQL
MySQL and PostgreSQL have a history of more than 20 years, and both systems are still being upgraded.
MySQL began to be used in 1995 and is currently maintained and managed by Oracle Corporation, which sells database management software.
- PostgreSQL has been available since 1988.
- Immediately after its release, it was called “POSTGRES”, but later changed to its current name.
- Design philosophy of MySQL and PostgreSQL
- Although they are the same RDB, MySQL and PostgreSQL have different design concepts.
- MySQL is a simpler RDB because the concept is to work faster.
PostgreSQL, on the other hand, emphasizes the robustness and completeness of the system required for databases, so it can be said to be a highly functional RDB.
Which is more popular, MySQL or PostgreSQL?
Among MySQL and PostgreSQL, MySQL is more popular.
MySQL has advantages such as a large number of introduction examples and excellent speed.
While PostgreSQL has the perfection as a system, the strengths of MySQL attract many users.
Benefits of adopting MySQL
Most popular RDBMS
According to a survey of developers and people involved in development in 2019, the most popular RDB is MySQL.
The order of popularity for RDB is as follows:
- MySQL: 38.9%
- MongoDB: 24.6%
- PostgreSQL: 17.4%
- Quote: 2019 Database Trends – SQL vs. NoSQL, Top Databases, Single vs. Multiple Database Use
What kind of applications is it suitable for?
- MySQL has a simple design and is fast.
- MySQL is suitable for simple services that correspond to the simplicity of MySQL.
- Low hurdles to use
- Ease of use is as important to developers and development teams as the cost of using the system.
A system that is easy to install and easy to find solutions to when problems occur can be said to be an easy-to-use system.
As you can see from the survey result that MySQL is the most popular RDB, it is used in many services.
A large number of users leads to a large amount of knowledge, creating a virtuous cycle that makes it easier to use.
Disadvantages of using MySQL
- Less functional than PostgreSQL
- MySQL’s concept is speed, so it lacks features compared to PostgreSQL.
- For example, the table inheritance feature in PostgreSQL does not exist in MySQL.
- Free version has limited features and support
If a problem occurs in the free version of MySQL, we will try to solve the problem by contacting the community by ourselves.
However, if you don’t see the essence of the problem to make an inquiry yourself, you won’t be able to solve it.
If you can’t figure out the cause yourself, you’ll have trouble solving the problem.
The paid version has 24/7 support, so you can solve the problem through support.
Advantages of adopting PostgreSQL
100% free and open source
Completely free and open source is a big strength that is indispensable when talking about PostgreSQL.
MySQL is also an RDB that can be used free of charge, but there are restrictions on the number of licenses and functions.
On the other hand, PostgreSQL can be used commercially as long as the copyright, disclaimer, and license are observed, and there are no functional limitations.
What kind of applications is it suitable for?
If the concept of PostgreSQL is expressed in one word, it is a high-performance RDB.
This database is suitable for systems that require large-scale data and complex processing.
It is no exaggeration to say that the fact that systems that handle large-scale data, such as Yahoo! and Facebook, use PostgreSQL is proof of that.
The great strength of PostgreSQL is that it is comparable to a paid database even though it can be used for free.
Disadvantages of adopting PostgreSQL
- Lack of documentation compared to MySQL
- Documentation is important for developers to use the system.
- Documents play an important role, especially when trouble occurs.
In the case of PostgreSQL, there are fewer people who have introduced it compared to MySQL, so it cannot be denied that documentation is lacking.
Have trouble with speed
PostgreSQL’s high functionality can actually be a disadvantage in some cases.
While PostgreSQL can handle huge amounts of data efficiently, it cannot be denied that it is inferior to MySQL in terms of processing speed.
Since the concept as a database is different in the first place, it can be said that it is unavoidable that there is a difficulty in terms of speed.
How to learn SQL efficiently?
The difficulty of system development is increasing year by year.
While release cycles are accelerating, the quality requirements remain as high as before.
If you want to become a system developer in the future, the key is how to improve your main system development skills.
To improve your main system development skills, simply spend on supplementing the knowledge necessary for main system development.
On the other hand, there are many things to remember in system development, such as databases and infrastructure.
In order to spend time on the main system development, it is necessary to learn knowledge around SQL and infrastructure efficiently.
