Re: MySQL vs PostgreSQL

> Not to cause a flame war, but, MySQL and PostgreSQL are both excellent > choices, MySQL tends to be a lighter less feature rich database while > PostgreSQL tends to have more features, perform better under load, etc. Under differing types of load, yes. MySQL is more hit-based, while PostgreSQL deals well with bigger queries. So basically undisputed. > You can read a lot about the two databases at google.com and also at > postgresql.org. > > I highly dispute the claim that MySQL is more actively used or that it > is more actively developed, PostgreSQL has a very good sized user base > with a lot of both non commericial community support and commericial > quality support. PostgreSQL does have its own significant user base. I think MySQL has a larger user base. Of course, I won't state that user base is a heavily weighted factor in this case (or in most). > There are a large number of applications that use postgres as well, even > if there weren't the reasoning "there are lots of applications that use > this product so it must be good" is amazing to me, if that were true > Windows would be the winner because there is the most commercial support > for windows, there is also the most applications for windows so > therefore windows must be better than Unix (we all know that is not > true, at least in most cases). > > This is not intended to cause a flame, just to balance the comments, as > always you should do your own benchmarking or at least do in dept > research before deciding on any solution. Your mileage will vary so > take other people's advice carefully, in the end look at performance, > stability, ability to scale, and support. My understanding is for speed / fast + simple queries go with MySQL. Heavier or more complex / long queries go with PostgreSQL. I'm biased to MySQL (though unhappy with lack of subselects, but have found that I can sometimes write better queries when forced to avoid them), so take with a large dose of salt. As for the comment about subselects in version 4 being available, well... I am right that they are... but they're sorta not out yet as was stated so... well, let's just say my words taste bitter on the way back down *sigh* -Jeff SIG: HUP