How different is PostgreSQL to MySQL?

Question

Hiya,

I've been asked to support and take on a PostgreSQL app, but am a MySQL guy - is this a realistic task?

Answer 1

I faced the same situation about a month ago.... I have been doing fine with postgres. There is a strong online community for postgres and you should be able to find help if you run into any trouble and learn stuff easily :)

Answer 2

PostgreSQL has some nice features like generate_series, custom aggregate functions, arrays etc, which can ease your life greatly if you take some time to learn them.

On the other hand it lacks some features of MySQL like using and assigning session variables in queries, FORCE INDEX, etc., which is quite annoying if you are used to these features.

If you just use basic SQL, then you will hardly notice any difference.

Answer 3

You may want to take a look at these pages: Why PostgreSQL Instead of MySQL: Comparing Reliability and Speed in 2007, Why PostgreSQL Instead of MySQL 2009.

Answer 4

I didn't take very long to switch from MySQL to PostgreSQL back when I first started using PostgreSQL in anger at a previous company. I found it very nice and very refreshing (not that MySQL was bad) compared to MySQL which I had used previously. PostgreSQL was also a good stepping stone to Oracle which I use at my current company. I liked that it had a proper command line application like MySQL, but the configuration options are harder - but if you're not setting it up then there is no problem.

Answer 5

PostgreSQL compared to MySQL is as any other pair of DBMSs compared. What they have in common is non-functional, specifically the consequences of each being open source. In terms of features, use, and strengths they are no closer to each other than PostgreSQL is to Oracle or DB2 is to Sybase.

Now on to your real question: you are a SQL guy, albeit one who has not yet had experience with PostgreSQL. This is a completely realistic task for you, and a good one since you'll expand your understanding of the varieties of DBMSs and gain a perspective on MySQL that you can't get from working solely within its sphere.

As someone who was once in exactly the same position, my guess is that you'll quickly pick up PostgreSQL and might even hesitate to return to MySQL ;-).

Answer 6

If you're interested in the different flavors of SQL, here are a few resources (though some may be outdated):

• SQLZoo
• SQL Dialects Reference Wikibook
• Tips on Writing Portable SQL
• SQL Bible

Answer 7

We are trying to switch our application from mySQL to postgres. I wished we would have some kind of a subroutine (in VB6) were I can input the mySQl SQL query and get a string out containing the appropriate postgres query.

Does anybody have a solution or is interested working with us on that?

Thank you!

Thomas