MySQL Lerning

This basic MySQL tutorial explains some of the basic SQL statements. If this is the first time you have used a relational database management system, this tutorial gives you everything you need to know to work with MySQL such as querying data, updating data, managing databases, and creating tables.

If you are already familiar with other relational database management systems such as PostgreSQL, Oracle, and Microsoft SQL Server, you can use this tutorial to refresh your knowledge and understand how the SQL dialect of MySQL is different from other systems.

What Is the Difference Between MySQL and SQL Server?

SQL is the ideal language of choice for relational databases, whether you want to retrieve, edit, or store your data—which is how dynamic applications and websites perform practically every user request. Before engaging in a more nuanced MySQL vs. MSSQL performance comparison, let’s first look at some of the basic similarities and differences between MSSQL and MySQL Server.

Similarities Between MySQL and SQL Server

As both MSSQL and MySQL are relational databases, there are several similarities. Most developers, however, specialize in either one or the other. Although MSSQL and MySQL seem similar, their underlying architecture differs. Here are the key similarities you should know.

Tables

Both platforms use the standard relational database table model for storing data in columns and rows.

High Performance

Your database is the backbone of your applications, responsible for storing and returning data as quickly as possible. Both MySQL and MSSQL offer high-performance speed.

Keys

Both platforms use primary and foreign keys to establish the relationships between tables.

Web-Based Popularity

With the exception of Oracle, MySQL and MSSQL are the most common databases for use with web applications. When you sign up for hosting, you’re usually given the choice between MSSQL and MySQL.

Scalability

Both platforms can scale with your company as it grows. They’re suitable for small and large projects and can support millions of transactions every day.

Syntax

The syntax of these two database platforms is similar, although you should expect some small differences across varying CRUD (create, read, update, delete) statements.

Drivers

Fortunately, you can find connection drivers for almost any popular language just by searching the web. This allows you to easily connect to both MySQL and MSSQL without the need for complicated coding.

MSSQL Server was introduced in 1989, while MySQL was introduced in 1995 as an open-source project. This makes MSSQL several years older than MySQL. As both solutions have been in production for more than two decades, they both have a strong foothold in the market. MySQL can run on either Linux or Windows, usually as part of a LAMP environment. MSSQL runs on Windows and is usually part of a Windows environment.

Both MySQL and MSSQL can handle small and large software projects, so users should anticipate similar performance levels. No matter which of these servers you choose, performance will primarily rely on your DBA’s ability to optimize queries and code.

Differences Between MSSQL and MySQL Server

Although these platforms are similar, especially in relation to interface and basic relational database standards, they operate very differently. Most of these differences are accounted for by the underlying architecture and happen in the background, which means they often go unnoticed by the average user. It’s important, however, for DBAs to understand these differences because they play a significant role in your decision-making process.

Native Compatibility

SQL Server was originally developed exclusively for the Windows operating system by Microsoft. Microsoft has recently made RDBMS available on both Mac OS X and Linux. This gives enterprises the option of running the database system on three separate platforms. Unfortunately, users still lack the option to use certain capabilities while running SQL Server on Mac OS X or Linux. MySQL, on the other hand, can run smoothly on multiple popular operating systems, including Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows.

Support

Both MySQL and MSSQL support multiple programming languages, including Java, C++, PHP, Ruby, Python, Delphi, Visual Basic, Go, and R. MySQL supports additional languages like Tcl, Scheme, Perl, Eiffel, and Haskel. Because MySQL is so versatile in its support for programming languages, it’s popular among many developer communities. While you can use both database types for Windows and Linux projects, MySQL works natively with PHP, and MSSQL is mainly used with .NET. Integration is simpler if you use MySQL for PHP and MSSQL for Windows projects.

MyISAM and InnoDB

These engines are configurations for MySQL, which allow the developer to perform an array of design and programming activities. MSSQL doesn’t allow you to specify different engines when you create a database.

Cost-Efficiency

MySQL is free and open-source, although you’ll have to pay for support if you require it. MSSQL is more expensive to run, because you’ll need licenses for the server running the software.

LINQ (Language integrated language)

MSSQL allows you to set up your entity framework classes in .NET, meaning you can get started with LINQ queries. With MySQL, you’d need to download third-party tools if you wanted to use .NET.

IDE Tools

Both MySQL and MSSQL have IDE tools, but you’ll need to match the right tool with the appropriate server. MySQL has Enterprise Manager and MSSQL uses Management Studio. These tools allow you to connect with the server and manage configurations for architecture, security, and table design.

Binary Collections

MSSQL and MySQL are designed as binary collections. MySQL allows developers to use binaries to manipulate database files even while running. Database files can also be accessed and manipulated by alternative processes at runtime. Conversely, MSSQL doesn’t allow any process to manipulate or access binaries or database files. If you wanted to achieve this, you would need to run an instance. This eliminates the opportunity for hackers to access or directly manipulate data. As such, MSSQL is more secure than MySQL.

Backup

If you’re using MySQL, you’ll need to back up data by extracting it as SQL statements. The RDBMS provides a tool to block the database while data is being backed up. This feature minimizes the chance of data corruption occurring while switching between MySQL versions or editions. The downside is this makes data restoration a time-consuming process, because it requires executing multiple SQL statements. MSSQL doesn’t block the database while backing up data, enabling users to backup and restore mass amounts of data with minimal effort.

Option to Stop Query Execution

MySQL doesn’t let users kill or cancel a query once it starts running. To stop the SQL query execution, users have to kill the complete process. MSSQL users can truncate a database query while it’s running without killing the complete process. Moreover, MSSQL uses a transactional engine to maintain a consistent state. This gives MSSQL a notable advantage over MySQL.