Before we look at Postgresql, let’s think about how Postgresql differs from MySQL, the most commonly used relational database, in terms of its underlying architecture, usage scenarios, and special features.

1. Introduction

When we choose the database for the project, we should consider the application scenario of the project, data size and other factors. Each type of database has its own specific application scenarios, such as Postgresql and MySQL databases, which are used in different scenarios. Let’s discuss their similarities and differences.

2.Postgresql vs MySQL

This table from the PostgresqlTutorial details the differences between the two.

features Postgresql MySQL
describe The world ‘s mostadvanced open source database The world ‘s mostpopular open source database
The development of PostgreSQL is an open source project MySQL is an open-source product
Implementation language C C, C + +
Graphic tool PgAdmin MySQL Workbench
ACID Yes Yes
The storage engine Single storage engine Multiple storage engines e.g., InnoDB and MyISAM
The full text retrieval Yes Yes
Drop a temporary tableDrop a temporary table No TEMP or TEMPORARY keyword in DROP TABLEStatement (deleted when database connection is disconnected) MySQL supports the TEMP or TEMPORARYkeyword in the DROP TABLEStatement that allows you to remove the temporary table only.
DROP TABLE(drop table) Support CASCADEOption to drop table’s dependent objects, tables, views, etc. And vice versa) Does not support CASCADE option
TRUNCATE TABLE(drop table) PostgreSQL TRUNCATE TABLEsupports more features like CASCADE.RESTART IDENTITY.CONTINUE IDENTITYTransaction-safe, etc. (Delete is acceptable for removing data from a table. However, for a large table, truncate is more efficient because it does not need to scan the entire table to delete all rows.) MySQL TRUNCATE TABLE does not support CASCADEAnd transaction safe,.once data is deleted, it cannot be rolled back.
Autoadd column SERIAL AUTO_INCREMENT
Analytic functions Yes No
Data types Support many advanced types such as array.hstore, and user-defined type. SQL-standard types
Unsigned integer No Yes
Boolean type Yes Use TINYINT(1) internally for Boolean
IP address data type Yes No
Set column defaults Support both constant and function call Must be a constant or CURRENT_TIMESTAMP for TIMESTAMP or DATETIME columns
CTE (Common Table Expressions) Yes No
EXPLAINoutput More detailed Less detailed
Materialized views(Materialized view) Yes (Postgresql takes the concept of views to the next level by allowing views to physically store data. We call these views materialized views, which cache complex query results and then allow them to be refreshed periodically) No
CHECK constraint(Check constraints) Yes No (MySQL ignores the CHECK constraint)
Table inheritance Yes No
Programming languages for stored procedures Ruby, Perl, Python, TCL, PL/pgSQL, SQL, JavaScript, etc. SQL:2003 syntax for stored procedures
FULL OUTER JOIN(Full external connection) Yes No
INTERSECT Yes (Postgresql’s INTERSECT operator consolidates the result sets of two or more SELECT statements into a single result set) No
EXCEPT Yes (Except operator returns rows that exist in the first query clause but not in the second query clause by comparing the result sets of two or more Quires) No
Partial indexes Yes No
Bitmap Indexes Yes No
Expression indexes Yes NO
Covering indexes Yes (since version 9.2)Example 1,Example 2 Yes. MySQL supports covering indexes that allow data to be retrieved by scanning the index alone without touching the table data. This is advantageous in case of large tables with millions of rows.
Common table expression (CTE) Yes (since Version 8.0, MySQL has supportedCTE)
Triggers(Trigger) Support triggers that can fire on most types of command, except for ones affecting the database globally e.g., roles and tablespaces. Limited to some commands
Partitioning RANGE, LIST RANGE, LIST, HASH, KEY, and composite partitioning using a combination of RANGE or LIST with HASH or KEY subpartitions
Task Schedule pgAgent Scheduled event
Connection: the Scalability of the enterprise Each new connection is an OS process Each new connection is an OS thread.
SQL Compliant PostgreSQL is largely SQL compliant. MySQL is partially SQL compliant. For example, it does not support check constraint.
Best suited PostgreSQL performance is utilized when executing complex queries. MySQL performs well in OLAP& OLTP systems when only read speeds are needed.
Support for JSON Support JSON and other NoSQL features like native XML support. It also allows indexing JSON data for faster access. MySQL has a JSON data type support but does not support any other NoSQL feature.
Default values The default values can be changed at the system level only The default values can be overwritten at the session level and the statement level
B-tree Indexes B-tree indexes merged at runtime to evaluate are dynamically converted predicates. Two or more B-tree indexes can be used when it is appropriate.
Object statistics Very good object statistics Fairly good object statistics

For the above points with some doubts, a detailed analysis is made:

Outer join Full outer join

Postgresql full outer JOIN returns all rows from the two participating tables, if they do not match on opposite tables, then null is used to fill them in. The full outer Join combines the results of the left outer join and the right outer join, and returns all rows (matched or unmatched) in the tables on either side of the join clause.

3. Disagree about using MySQL (MySQL’s Disadvantages)

  • Transactions related to system catalog are not ACID compliant
  • Some time A server crash can corrupt the system catalog
  • No pluggable authentication module Preventing centrally managed market Account
  • No support for roles so it is difficult in maintaining Privileges for many users
  • Stored Procedures are not cacheable
  • Tables used for the procedure or trigger are always pre-locked Tables used for the procedure or trigger are always pre-locked

4. Disagree about using PostgreSQL (Disadvantages of PostgreSQL)

  • The current external solutions require a high learning curve.
  • No upgrade facility for Major Releases
  • The data need to be exported or replicated to The new version
  • Double storage is needed during the upgrade process
  • The indexes cannot be used to directly return the results of a query.
  • Query Execution plans are not cached
  • Bulk loading operations may become CPU bound
  • Sparse Independent Software Vendor Support

5.What is Better?

After comparing both we can say that MySQL has done a great job of improving itself to keep relevant, but on the other side for PostgreSQL, you don’t need any licensing. It also offers table inheritance, rules systems, custom data types, and database events. So, it certainly edges above MySQL.

6. Reference materials

Hackr. IO/blog/postgr…

www.guru99.com/postgresql-…