SQL vs MySQL

With the increasing number of E-learning in the business platforms, databases have become essential. And it gives us countless opportunities to make our professional career more successful without leaving our homes.

A database is a collection of information or data that is organized so that it can be easily accessible, managed and updated. 

One of the two popular data management tools is SQL and MySQL.

Both SQL and MySQL are widely used in enterprise database systems. Databases have become a crucial need for business enthusiasts.

In this article, we are going to discuss the difference between SQL and MySQL. This comparison will help to make a decision on which relational database you want to use.

Before jumping to the topic of SQL vs MySQL, let us first know what SQL and MySQL are.

We can assume you have a basic idea of SQL and MySQL, but to keep everyone on the same page first, we will learn the definition of SQL and MySQL.

What Is SQL?

According to ANSI (American National Standards Institute), Structured query language, a.k.a SQL, is the standard language to operate relational databases. A relational database means that they are organized as tables and are related to each other in some ways.

It is a language to write data retrieval programs for a Database. It is used for handling structured data between relatable data entities and variables. 

SQL is offered by Microsoft and is used by SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle etc., as their standard database language. There may maybe a slight change in syntax between SQL server and MySQL, but the basic concept is the same.

The users can retrieve multiple databases and can access records with a single command in SQL.

What Is MySQL?

MySQL is offered by Oracle, the most popular free, open-source relational database management system(RDBMS) based on structured query language(SQL).

 It is supported by many platforms such as LINUX, Windows, UNIX, etc. it can also be written in C and C++ programming languages. 

It is widely used on Web servers; it also provides multi-user access. It handles all the database commands quickly.

If you are an ambitious web developer or working with a management system, you will need MySQL in your workspace. 

SQL vs MySQL 

Both SQL Server and MySQL are efficient to keep your data organized and use tables to store data. 

While there are many similarities between these platforms, they work differently, and their underlying features differ.

However, you should know the expected difference between these two platforms so that you could choose one before starting to develop your website or other business purposes.

Now we will look into the fundamental difference between these two widely used systems. 

• Definition : 

SQL- stands for a structured query language, which is a relational database management system.

MySQL- is an open-source relational database management system available in the market.

• Usability : 

SQL- before 2016, SQL was only used in one platform (Windows), but later they have expanded SQL to support different platforms, for example, LINUX, MAC OS X etc.

MySQL- can be used on multiple platforms. Thus, MySQL is more flexible. 

• Flexibility :

SQL supports XMAL; while MySQL does not provide support for XML

• Server performance :

SQL Server offers higher performance than MySQL. 

IJARCCE (International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer and Communication Engineering ) did some performance analysis between SQL and MySQL.

If you notice the table, you could say MySQL increased double as the number of rows went up, so did SQL but not as much as MySQL. It worked faster than MySQL while deleting, updating and selecting queries. However, MySQL worked faster for the insert operation. 

Thus, in terms of the performance issue, we can easily conclude SQL wins. 

• Storage Engine :

MySQL supports umpteen storage engines, for example, InnoDB, MyISAM, etc.

Whereas SQL only supports one storage engine

• Data Security :

SQL- Server is more secure because it does not allow any third party to make changes to their data or even to access it, albeit one can easily modify the database files through MySQL.

• Execute Query :

SQL server can cancel query in the mid-way after execution 

However, MySQL can not cancel the query after mid-way execution.

• Cost :

As MySQL is an open-source server, it is free and thus widely used by different platforms. 

On the other hand, SQL is not an open-source server. You have to purchase the SQL server license in order to run multiple databases. It is costly because you have to buy multiple licenses.  

• Editions

As SQL is a programming language, it remains fixed and does not get any updates.

However, MySQL gets updated oftentimes. The current version of MySQL is v8.0.23

• Back-up Data :

In SQL Server, the database does not get blocked when you back up data. As a result, it saves up your time and efforts, and you can do other functions on the database at the time as well. 

For the data backup in MySQL, you have to retrieve the data as SQL statements. During the backup process, the database gets blocked, which reduces the chance of data corruption. However, it increases the total time and efforts of the process. 

• Syntax :

MySQL syntax is a bit complicated compared to the syntax of SQL. It is easy to implement.

For instance, let’s look at the length function 

Now It’s time to decide which one should you use?

If you have come all the way down here, we are pretty confident that you have a basic idea to compare SQL and MySQL, and it won’t be hard for you to decide which server you want to use to manage your data.

The best way to determine is to talk about your project in the marketplace and keep in mind all the factors we have mentioned above.

Most of the Windows developers use MS SQL and LINUX developers use MySQL. So the first target which hosting environment you want to use and then make the decision accordingly.

All the best!