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
The picture is now almost clear as we have seen the difference between SQL Server and MySQL. It all comes down to your needs and 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.
thanks, but there is a confusion.
SQL is just a mere language, right.
so is MySQL a database, or a database+language?
Appreciate ur response?
Thanks,
Grr
MySQL is application that uses SQL(Language).
Therefore it makes MySQL a database management system…
Your welcome..
Because I run only Linux servers I use MySQL. Just as I use Apache rather than IIS for my web servers.
Just a small correction – your article starts out talking about the differences between SQL and MYSQL. But we end up being shown the differences between MS SQL Server and MYSQL, both of which are just DBMS systems based on the SQL standard. But the reader ends up being wrongly given the impression that MS SQL Server *IS* SQL – as though it sets the standard or something. Just thought you should make it clear to the reader – are you discussing differences between SQL vs MYSQL, or MS SQL Server vs MYSQL ?
Both Ms SQL and MySQL uses SQL( standard language for accessing databases.). Difference between MS SQL server and MySQL is being addressed here.. Its been mentioned in 4th paragraph about the discussion topic..
Hi – yes I see that. My problem is that throughout the article you use the terms SQL and Microsoft SQL Server interchangeably, as though they mean the same thing. Obviously they don’t – MS SQL Server is just another implementation of SQL, like MYSQL.
Exactly.. ! You are right. MS SQL Server is just another implementation of SQL, like MYSQL…
In developers environment MS SQL server is largely Interpreted as SQL Sever which in turn confuses beginners. . Appreciate you came out with clear definition..
The structure of your article is as follows: a simple statement about mysql then a detailed explanation of how much better Microsoft SQL is. If you want to compare then, I need to see good and bad from both sides. Do you really believe that Microsoft SQL Server only has advantages over mysql???
For example, under “Latest release: MySQL and SQL Server” you say mySQL has version x and microsoft has version Y with a lof of new features, what about the features in mySQL for that version???
I believe this article belongs on Microsoft’s website as an advertisement, not an article that truly compares the two.
Hi -Corey.. The structure of the article basically explain differences at high level.. Strengths, Vendors, Customer support, Latest Version… and….
There are many advantages and disadvantages on both sides at low level, that is Command complexity, query processing and data visualization, BI and so on.. And Yes there are advantages of MySQL over SQL Sever in some cases..
For such We will try to get one for you very soon..
thanksssssssssss………….
Its really very nice information and difference. I appreciate your work. keep moving forward…
I am also having a blog, where i am sharing information about programming.
Technical Programming
http://www.technicalprogramming.com/
As per my experience MySQL has clear lead on query performance over MS SQL Server,
however MS SQL Provides large collection of built-in functions to simplifies the query. . .
“it is clear that Microsoft’s SQL Server provides some extra features over MySQL and is more trusted in the development market.”
I do not see why that should be clear, sorry. That question was not even addressed above. So why this “conclusion”? It is drawn from pure air. So this article is nothing but marketing stuff? Great.
I am a software developer myself, having worked in a few different companies in the last 25 years, some more leaning towards MS, some more leaning towards free software. There is no right or wrong here. But that statement above is simply wrong. Period.
If you have a project that is free to chose which rdbms to use as a base, and you then suggest MS-SQL in the free market, then you certainly have _not_ gained trust. In contrary.
*shaking my head*
can you please tell about dms,rdbms,sql and mysql.
Very good article – had this question in mind for a long time. These days instead of asking a friend I just google. This way i don’t have to sound foolish and I can gain knowledge.
Same here, thanks Khan Azharuddin12345
no