I've been hearing a lot about PostgreSQL from my friends working in the IT industry.



They seem to appreciate its qualities. On the other hand, is MySQL really as inferior as some claim it to be? I would love to hear your thoughts on this matter.

PostgreSQL and MySQL are both popular open-source relational database management systems (RDBMS), each with their own strengths and use cases.

PostgreSQL is known for its robustness, scalability, and extensive features, making it a good choice for complex and demanding applications. It offers advanced features such as transactional integrity, support for complex data types, and powerful querying capabilities. It's preferred by many developers for its adherence to SQL standards, strong data integrity, and ability to handle large volumes of data.

MySQL, on the other hand, is widely used for web-based applications and is known for its simplicity, speed, and ease of use. It has a large user base and an active community, making it easy to find support and resources. It excels in read-intensive workloads and can be a good fit for applications that prioritize quick retrieval of data.

Both databases have their pros and cons, and the choice between them depends on specific requirements, project needs, and personal preferences. It's important to consider factors such as the skills and familiarity of your development team, the nature of your application, performance requirements, and future scalability when deciding which database to use.

PostgreSQL is known for its advanced features, including support for JSON and geospatial data, full-text search capabilities, and the ability to handle complex queries efficiently. It also has a reputation for data integrity, offering features like transactional integrity, referential integrity, and concurrency control with multi-version concurrency control (MVCC).

MySQL, on the other hand, is valued for its simplicity and ease of use. It has a robust set of features for managing relational data and supports standard SQL syntax. MySQL's strength lies in its speed and efficiency, particularly for read-heavy workloads. It has a large user community and a wide range of tools and libraries built around it.

Another important consideration is the ecosystem surrounding each database. PostgreSQL has a strong reputation for its community support, extensive dоcumentation, and a wide range of extensions and plugins available. MySQL, on the other hand, benefits from its integration with other popular web development tools like PHP and Apache.

It's worth noting that both databases have made significant improvements over the years, with PostgreSQL focusing on performance enhancements and scalability, while MySQL has added more advanced features and improved its reliability.

points of comparison between PostgreSQL and MySQL:

1. Data replication and clustering: PostgreSQL supports both synchronous and asynchronous replication, allowing for high availability and fault tolerance. It also offers tools like logical replication and logical decoding. MySQL, on the other hand, provides various replication options, including a built-in asynchronous replication feature. It also has clustering solutions like MySQL Cluster for high availability.

2. Performance: Both databases have made significant performance improvements over time. PostgreSQL has focused on enhancing query optimization and parallel execution capabilities. MySQL has introduced features like in-memory data storage and improved query optimizer. Benchmark results can vary depending on specific use cases and configurations, so it's best to test performance using your own workload.

3. Security: PostgreSQL is known for its strong emphasis on security. It provides features like row-level security, column-level encryption, and granular access control. MySQL also offers security features such as SSL/TLS encryption, user privilege management, and secure password authentication.

4. Community and Support: PostgreSQL has a strong, active community and an extensive network of contributors. The PostgreSQL Global Development Group oversees the project and provides regular updates and support. MySQL is backed by Oracle Corporation, which provides commercial support options, but it also benefits from a large community of users and developers.

5. Licensing: PostgreSQL is released under the PostgreSQL License, which is a permissive open-source license. This allows for flexibility in using, modifying, and distributing the database. MySQL is available under two licensing options: the GNU General Public License (GPL) and a commercial license offered by Oracle. The choice of license depends on your intended usage and requirements.

 few more points of comparison between PostgreSQL and MySQL:

1. Data Types and Functionality: PostgreSQL offers a wide range of data types, including support for arrays, hstore (key-value pairs), and JSON. It also has extensive built-in functions and operators for data manipulation and analysis. MySQL has a simpler set of data types and functions, but it still covers most common use cases.

2. Transactions and Concurrency: Both PostgreSQL and MySQL support ACID-compliant transactions, ensuring data consistency and integrity. However, PostgreSQL's concurrency control mechanism (MVCC) allows for better handling of concurrent transactions, reducing the likelihood of conflicts and improving performance in multi-user environments.

3. Full-Text Search: PostgreSQL has robust built-in full-text search capabilities, allowing you to perform complex text searches efficiently. MySQL also provides full-text search functionality, but it may not offer the same level of flexibility and advanced features as PostgreSQL.

4. Extensibility: PostgreSQL has a reputation for being highly extensible. It provides support for user-defined functions, custom data types, and the ability to write stored procedures and triggers in multiple programming languages like Python and JavaScript. MySQL also offers user-defined functions and stored procedures but may have fewer language options.

5. Scalability: PostgreSQL is known for its scalability, capable of handling large volumes of data and high-traffic applications. It supports concepts like tablespaces for efficient storage management and parallel execution for improved performance. MySQL, particularly with the InnoDB storage engine, also offers good scalability and can handle significant workloads.

To put it briefly, PgSQL surpasses MySQL in almost every aspect.
- It has a much more advanced optimizer, eliminating the need for complex workarounds.
- PgSQL offers a superior language called pl/PgSQL, along with the ability to use Java.

Schemes and advanced constraints are available, allowing for tasks like checking if a point falls within a specified area.

In addition, PgSQL supports rules, arrays, and various advanced data types such as hstore or jsonb, all of which can utilize indexes efficiently.

Named prepared statements are also supported, enhancing query performance.

PgSQL boasts an extremely advanced full-text search system that can be configured flexibly, although I still prefer using sphinx/elastic for direct text searches.


This covers just some of the many features PgSQL has to offer. Moreover, it provides an easy and straightforward way to implement complex logic and retrieve only the necessary data.

If MySQL suits your needs, that's great. However, if you require intricate data connections and other sophisticated functionalities, transitioning from MySQL to PgSQL can be quite enjoyable

P.S. Oh, I almost forgot to mention the availability of recursive queries in PgSQL. I have often wished that MySQL had this feature.

It surpasses mysql in every aspect, particularly in terms of functionality and stored procedures.

Replication is as simple as 4 steps, making it even easier than mysql.

However, the primary advantage lies with the people behind its development. They constantly strive for perfection and adhere to strict standards, which cannot be said about the mysql homunculus.