Difference between MySQL and SQL

SQL extends for Structured Query Language. SQL is a standard language that enables the user to design and manage databases. On the other hand, MySQL is a relational database management system that allows a user to store and retrieve data from the database. MySQL uses SQL to perform specific operations on the database. Both MySQL and SQL offer two trendy and differentiable servers: MySQL server and SQL Server for database management.

Let's understand the difference between MySQL and SQL Server.

1) Developers

SQL is developed by Microsoft Corporation and named as Microsoft SQL Server (MS SQL). On the other hand, MySQL is developed by Oracle Corporation. Its name is a combo pack of "My (under co-founder daughter's name) and Structured Query Language (SQL)".

2) Availability

MySQL is open-source software, which is available free to all. In contrast, SQL is not an open-source software and hence not available free of cost.

3) Platforms support

SQL was initially developed for the Windows operating system. Currently, it is supported by Linux and macOS (via Docker), lacking certain features that are supported in the Windows platform. While MySQL works well with Windows, macOS, Linux, Solaris platforms.

4) Programming Languages Support

MS SQL itself is a programming language, but the SQL Server supports basic programming languages such as C++, Go, R, PHP, Python, Ruby, Visual Basic, etc. In addition to the basic programming languages, MySQL also supports Perl, Haskel, Tcl, etc.

5) Storage Engine

MySQL does not require a large amount of storage space for performing different operations. It supports multiple storage engines. MySQL also supports plug-in storage engines. On the other hand, MS SQL supports only a single storage engine. Therefore, programmers need to be updated with more improved engines.

6) Security Offered

MySQL is a less securable server because it allows database files manipulation by other processors or its own binaries at its execution time only.

But, MS SQL provides a highly securable job. It does not allow database file access or manipulation through other processors or its own binaries at its execution time.

7) Backup

In MySQL, for data backup, the developer needs to extract it as SQL statements. While backing up the data, the server blocks the database, which reduces the chance of data corruption when switching from one version of MySQL to another.

In MS SQL, the server does not block the database at the time of backup. It means while data backup, the developer can perform other operations on the database.

8) Time Consumption in Data restoration

MySQL consumes a high amount of time for data restoration because it executes multiple SQL statements altogether, while MS SQL makes less effort and time to restore a huge amount of data.

9) Canceling Query Execution

MySQL does not provide the facility to stop or cancel a query at its execution time. To do so, the user needs to cancel the whole process. Unlike MySQL, the MS SQL server provides the feature to truncate a query at its execution time without disturbing or canceling the entire process.

10) Software Stack Component

The enterprise can select various editions of MS SQL according to the user requirements for the project. On the other hand, MySQL is used by many web application developers as a component of the LAMP stack.

11) Editions

There are two editions available in MySQL. The user can either use MySQL Community Server or MySQL Enterprise Server. Whereas, MS SQL is available in various specialized editions. The user can select from the web, enterprise, standard, or Express editions of SQL.

12) Multilingual

MySQL is available only in the English language. In contrast, SQL is available in many different languages.

13) Syntax

The SQL syntax is easy to use and implement. On the other hand, MySQL syntax is a little bit typical to use and implement.

For example,

If we want to implement the length function, the following queries will be used as per:

MS SQL: SELECT LEN(req_string) FROM <Table_name>

MySQL: SELECT CHARACTER_LENGTH(req_string) FROM <Table_name>

MySQL vs. SQL

Let us understand some of the big differences between MySQL and SQL using the following comparison chart:

Similarities

MySQL and SQL have some common functionalities, which are explained below:

• Both are related to managing the relational database.
• Both have data types.
• Both provides aliasing features to the database users.
• Both uses join operation (Inner, Left, Right, Self, Cross) in the table.
• Both are able to perform arithmetic (+, -, *, /, %) and comparison (>, <, >=, <=), and logical (and, or, not) operations.
• Both can use aggregate functions such as sum, count, average, etc.
• Both have stored procedures, indexing, view, and triggers.