What is the difference between Microsoft SQL server and My SQL?

Question

What is the difference between Microsoft SQL server and My SQL?

Answer 1

They are fundamentally similar in that both are data storage and retrieval systems.



The differences:



- open vs. proprietary. MS-SQL Server is closed.



- Licensing costs: MySQL isn't always free, but it is cheap.



- Performance, MySQL is the leader, mostly due to its default table format, MyISAM.



- Replication and scalability: A dead heat, but I guess it is easier to maintain replication with MS-SQL Server.



- Security: Both products have perfectly acceptable default security mechanisms



- Recovery: Advantage SQL Server: Failsafe and recovery is one area where MySQL, in its default MyISAM configuration, falls a little short.



Finally, the best choice depends on the situation.



Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Microsoft SQL Server is a commercial product and mySQL is free, though there is a free express edition of sql server 2005. The two programs have very different roots.



Microsoft SQL Server originated in the short-lived collaboration between Microsoft and Sybase, which had a SQL Server product that was very popular on UNIX machines in the financial world. The SQL dialect of SQL Server, T-SQL is still very much the way Sybase designed it, but Microsoft's product has been rewritten/overhauled several times. mySQL is the product developed by MySQL AB from Sweden which was founded by David Axmark.



mySQL is popular in LAMP web sites (Linux, Apache, Perl, mySQL) built with no-cost products. You will not find many mission critical databases such as airline reservation systems run on mySQL. mySQL is, just as many open source products (mySQL is free but not open source) supported by an active user community, though it is possible to get support from MYSQL AB. Microsoft's SQL Server is supported by Microsoft.



SQL Server is a much more powerful product with many enterprise features that make it a good choice for large databases. There is also excellent programming support available, from a client perspective (ADO, ADO .NET, OLEDB) and inside the SQL server (with SQL 2005 you can write programs in managed .NET code that execute within the server). But often, all that is needed is a simple and low-cost or free product, and that's where mySQL is fine.

Answer 3

camrylev6 is entitled to his opinions however he is incorrect. Microsoft Sql Server 2005 has a free version (Sql Express) that can be used in any windows environment. It has a 4 gig database limit, but I doubt you'll need more.



MySql and MS Sql Server cannot truely be matched 1 to 1. MySql is by far a more lightweight solution that does not offer many extremely useful features that MS Sql Server has (Statistics, embedded language support, i could go on).



MS Sql Server when compared w/ true competetors on price (ie oracle) is by far a cheaper solution as well.



Bottom line, MySql is good if you're trying to stay on the cheap AND already targeting a linux environment (basically a LAMP solution). However, if you plan on running windows, Sql Server (Express) is by far the easiest and cheapest solution available.

Answer 4

Since both were developed by Microsoft, not surprisingly there is a very similar look and feel to both of their GUIs. However, Access is a less-powerful DBMS and is aimed more towards a single-user application. SQL Server has many more bells and whistles and is suitable for networked use or even smaller Enterprise-level apps.

Answer 5

Both SQL have the own blend of bells and whistles. On the business side, Microsoft T-SQL requires a license for commercial use and cost of developers. MySql also require a license for commercial use but its dramatically less, so you can hire more developers or better one.

Answer 6

MySQL is platform independent and is designed to work with a PHP web server engine. MySQL is mostly based on a command prompt (something similar to a DOS based screen) and is designed for all applications from MEGA databases to a small dynamic website.



SQL server is a visually based option based completely on Micro$oft technology. It's expensive, and is argued to be more vulnerable to security flaws than MySQL is. However, it is easier to use because of the visual interface options. It takes up significantly more computer resources than MySQL does.



What are you trying to do to ask this question? Maybe we can make an educated decision together?

Answer 7

The answers everyone gave may have value, but I disagree that MySQL is not commercial grade.



MySQL is a direct competitor to MSSQL in not only PRICE, but functionality.......MySQL is maturing and maturing fast. oh, and you DON'T need to be on windows to run MySQL....it will run on MAC, Linux and Windows and retain functionality where MS-SQL REQUIRES Windows SERVER!-----an all over expensive proposition.



I believe Yahoo uses MySQL for most of its business.

Answer 8

agree with MC Nat, SQL Server Express interacts with Microsoft .NET more efficiently as well (go figure)