What are the differences between sqlserver and mysql?

The difference between sqlserver and mysql: 1. SQL is suitable for using ".NET", while MySQL can be paired with almost all other languages, such as "PHP"; 2. The syntax of sqlserver and mysql is different; 3. SQL usage A single storage engine instead of the multiple engines provided for MySQL and so on.

The operating environment of this tutorial: Windows 7 system, SQL Server 2016 version, DELL G3 computer.

In fact, every modern web application and database play a vital role. Due to the dynamic nature of current web development, even basic applications require some mechanism for storing, retrieving, and modifying data. Of course, as the importance of databases has skyrocketed, so have certain relational database management systems (RDBMS).

Two of the systems are MySQL and SQL Server. Although they have unique use cases, they all perform the same function. They run different flavors, but are based on SQL or Structured Query Language. Therefore, developers can expect some similarities between MySQL and SQL Server, such as the use of tables to store data, referencing primary and foreign keys, and multiple databases in a single environment or server.

It wouldn't be inaccurate to call MySQL and SQL Server the two most popular RDBMS solutions in existence, although Oracle and Postgres might make the case for this. Even as we gradually witness the shift from SQL to NoSQL, the former remains the more dominant presence. This means now is a good time to learn MySQL or SQL Server.

In this guide, we will give you a brief introduction to MySQL and SQL Server. We'll find out the differences between MySQL and SQL Server and help you choose the product that best suits your needs.

MySQL vs SQL Server

What is MySQL?

MySQL was developed in the mid-90s (later acquired by Oracle) and was one of the first open source databases, and remains so today. This means MySQL has several options. But the differences between these variants are not too obvious; the syntax and basic functionality remain consistent.

What has become a defining feature of MySQL is its popularity among the startup community. Because it is open source and free, developers can easily start using MySQL and modify its code in the rare cases they may need to. MySQL is often used in combination with PHP and Apache Web Server, on top of Linux distributions, which has led to the famous acronym LAMP (L inux, Apache, MySQL, PHP).

What is SQL Server?

SQL Server, also known as Microsoft SQL Server, is much longer than MySQL. Microsoft developed SQL Server in the 1980s with the promise of a reliable and scalable RDBMS. After all these years, these remain the core qualities of SQL Server as it is the platform of choice for large enterprise software.

SQL Server is primarily aimed at developers using .NET as the development language, rather than PHP for MySQL. This makes sense since both fall under the Microsoft umbrella.

Key Differences Between MySQL and SQL Server

Now that we have an overview of what these systems are, let’s look at a few between MySQL and SQL Server Key Deviation:

Environment

As mentioned before, SQL Server is best suited for use with .NET, while MySQL can be paired with almost any other language, most commonly PHP . It should also be mentioned that SQL Server used to only run on Windows, but that has changed since Microsoft announced Linux support for SQL Server last year. Still, the Linux version is not mature enough, which means we still recommend you stay on Windows if using SQL Server and switch to Linux if using MySQL.

Syntax

For most people, this is the most important difference between the two systems. Becoming familiar with a set of grammatical rules can greatly influence your decision on which system is best for you. Although both MySQL and SQL Server are based on SQL, the syntax differences are still significant and worth keeping in mind. For example, take a look at the following example:

MySQL

SELECT age
FROM person
ORDER BY age ASC
LIMIT 1 OFFSET 2

Microsoft SQL Server

SELECT TOP 3 WITH TIES *
FROM person
ORDER BY age ASC

Both code blocks are implemented Same result - returns the 3 youngest age entries from the table named person. But the syntax has changed dramatically. Of course, syntax is subjective, so we can't give any suggestions; choose whatever is more intuitive to you. The complete list of implementation changes between MySQL and SQL Server can be found here.

SQL Server is more than just an RDBMS

The main advantage of proprietary software versus open source software is the exclusive support it receives. In this particular case, the advantages become even more profound because SQL Server is backed by one of the largest technology companies in the world. Microsoft has built other tools for SQL Server that are bundled with RDBMS, including data analysis tools. It also has a report server - SQL Server Reporting Services as well as ETL tools. This makes SQL Server the Swiss Army Knife of RDBMS. You can also get similar functionality on MySQL, but you'll have to wade through the web for a third-party solution - not ideal for most people.

Storage Engine

Another big difference between MySQL and SQL Server that is sometimes overlooked is the way they store data. SQL Server uses a single storage engine developed by Microsoft instead of the multiple engines provided for MySQL. This gives MySQL developers greater flexibility as they can use different engines for different tables based on speed, reliability, or other aspects. A popular MySQL storage engine is InnoDB, which falls on the slower end of the spectrum but maintains reliability. Another one is MyISAM.

Query Cancellation

Not many people know this, but a potentially groundbreaking difference between MySQL and SQL Server is that MySQL does not allow you to cancel a query mid-execution. This means that once the command starts executing, you better hope that any damage it may cause is reversible. SQL Server, on the other hand, allows you to cancel query execution midway through the process. This difference is especially acute for database administrators, whereas web developers execute script commands that rarely require canceling a query during execution.

Security

On the surface, there isn’t much to see when comparing the security differences between MySQL and SQL Server. Both are EC2 compliant, which means you're mostly safe to choose either one. Having said that, Microsoft's shadow looms large here as well, as it equips SQL Server with proprietary, state-of-the-art security features. Dedicated security tool - Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer - ensures strong security of SQL Server. So if safety is your top priority, then your choice is made for you.

Cost

This is where SQL Server becomes less attractive and MySQL gains focus. Microsoft requires you to purchase a license to run multiple databases on SQL Server - there is a free version, but it's just to get you familiar with the RDBMS. In contrast, MySQL uses the GNU General Public License, which makes it completely free to use. But please note that if you need support or help from MySQL, you will need to pay.

Community Support

Which brings us to the next point. While you can pay for MySQL support, this is rarely the case due to the excellent community contributions and support for it. The benefit of having a wider community is that most people don't have to seek official assistance - they can search the web and find plenty of solutions.

IDE

It is important to note that both RDMBS support different integrated development environment (IDE) tools. These tools provide a cohesive environment for development, and you should pay close attention to which one best suits your needs. MySQL has Oracle's Enterprise Manager, while SQL Server uses Management Studio (SSMS). Both have their pros and cons, which may give you balance if you have nothing else to base your decision on.

Conclusion

For those just starting out in modern application development, the choice of RDMBS is very important. People who choose one system rarely switch later, which means it’s crucial to weigh the different products and get the best for you.

In this article, we discussed two of the most widely used RDMBS - MySQL and Microsoft SQL Server. We've looked at several key differences between MySQL and SQL Server, and even one of them might be enough to sway your decision over the other.

Ultimately, the choice is yours. As a rule of thumb, if you are developing a medium/small application and mainly use PHP, use MySQL. However, if you're interested in building large-scale, secure, resilient enterprise applications, SQL Server should be right up your alley.

【Recommended learning: mysql video tutorial】

The above is the detailed content of What are the differences between sqlserver and mysql?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!