We have earlier seen the difference between SQL and NoSQL. In this post, I will tell you the basic difference between SQL and MySQL. Most people find it hard to wrap their head around SQL and MySQL, and you might be one of those. There are books about SQL everywhere, and for a good reason! Reading these books has helped me in differentiating both the concepts, viz. SQL and MySQL.
Difference between SQL and MySQL
To begin with, let me explain to you both technologies, and this is how they are defined:
SQL vs MySQL
SQL stands for Structured Query Language. It’s a standard language for accessing and manipulating databases. MySQL is a database management system, like SQL Server, Oracle, Informix, Postgres, etc. MySQL is an RDMS (Relational Database Management System).
When considering a utility for data management the two most popular choices are MySQL and SQL Server. Both are efficient at keeping your data organized and readily available through a user interface. Both technologies have the concept of the schema (that is table storage) for data storage.
SQL is a language. Specifically, the “Structured Query Language” Now it would be better if we start differentiating the topic as the difference between SQL Server and MySQL and take them point by point.
SQL Server and MySQL Vendors:
The MySQL development project has made its source code available under the terms of the GNU General Public License, as well as under a variety of proprietary agreements. MySQL was owned and sponsored by a single for-profit firm, the Swedish company MySQL AB, now owned by Oracle Corporation.
The SQL Server is owned by Microsoft and is typically referred to as Microsoft SQL Server. It has a long history of releases, and it is updated often adding all latest trends and technologies to it thus making it one of the trusted database applications today.
Strengths: SQL Server and MySQL
To give a better idea of the differences between MySQL and SQL Server -MySQL is geared more toward selecting data so it can be displayed, updated and saved again. MySQL is weaker in the areas of inserting and deleting data. But it is an excellent choice, for data storage and referencing data.
Here are some specific technical differences in MySQL and SQL Server when it comes down to the ANSI SQL standard: Features like stored procedures, triggers, views, and cursors became a part of the MySQL database server in MySQL version 5.0, and still you won’t find a rich feature set in terms of development functions and capabilities. However MySQL’s stored code-objects are close to ANSI standards, but again, they don’t have the breadth and depth of T-SQL, Microsoft, and Sybase’s proprietary extension to SQL.
Security: SQL Server and MySQL
Security is a major concern for data management. Both technologies that are MySQL and Microsoft SQL Server are EC2 complaints and make sure that they have adequate security support for building government applications. Going down the line, Microsoft’s SQL Server leads the way in offering all-around security features, as Microsoft’s Baseline Security Analyzer helps administrators ensure that the SQL Server installation is up to date. MySQL has no such tool to do so.
Support: SQL Server and MySQL
Both the SQL Server and MySQL has support from their respective vendors both in free and paid form. MySQL, as we know, is now a subsidiary of Oracle which is a Capability Maturity Model (CMM) level 5 company and offers support via technical representatives and “Virtual MySQL DBA Assistant”.
On the other hand, Microsoft has been pioneering SQL server over the years and assured assistance on its SQL database and Cloud storage. Furthermore, a free Microsoft SQL Server Migration Assistant (SSMA) makes it easy to migrate data from Oracle, Microsoft Access, MySQL, and Sybase to SQL Server.
Conclusion: MySQL vs SQL Server
As we have seen the difference between SQL Server and MySQL, the picture is now almost clear. It all comes down to your needs, how much secure, scalable, and efficient database you want. From most points, it is clear that Microsoft’s SQL Server provides some extra features over MySQL and is more trusted in the development market.
