This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Angelo Dias
My whole career was built on top of just front-end development. I've always worked with great backenders so I've never needed to ask around about what kind of backend technology to use.
See? I say "backend technology" without knowing much about what I'm talking about.
But time goes on and we tackle new issues. In a new project, I needed to go forth and conquer — I mean, choose the best relational database for our needs. For that, I queried (heh) my favourite developers and asked "which is better: PostgreSQL or MySQL?".
This is the compilation of their (very technical) answers.
1. It depends
Of course it does. Every developer hears this answers at least once in their lifetime. The project's needs are what you should take first into consideration. Maybe you can do stuff using non-relational databases, or your company's server already has MySQL or PostgreSQL setup. That said...
2. Data Integrity and ACID Compliance
I thought ACID was, like, acid jazz. It's not. Sorry for beeing a noob. It stands for Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation & Durability. Give an award for whomever got that acronym setup, it's 10/10.
If you’re building something where data integrity is non-negotiable, like a banking app or something else finance-heavy, PostgreSQL is going to be your best bet. It’s fully ACID compliant, meaning your transactions are safe and sound, no matter what.
Yeah, MySQL can be ACID compliant, but you need to use an specific engine (InnoDB). If you're not careful (or, like me, don't know what an "engine" is), you could end up using an engine that sacrifices some of those guarantees for speed. So if you want peace of mind without worrying about configurations, PostgreSQL is the safer choice here.
3. Performance and Scalability
If you want speed and only care about speed... MySQL is your solution. It’s fast, reliable, and handles read-heavy applications like a champ. Think blogs, basic e-commerce sites, or something where you need quick, simple reads without too much fuss on the backend.
But when stuff gets complicated and needs heavy-duty work... PostgreSQL shines when you’ve got complex queries or large datasets. It can handle a heavier workload with advanced features like indexing, JSON data types, and full-text search. So, if you’re scaling up or need to work with complex data structures, PostgreSQL is your guy (girl? Do PostgreSQL have gender? Sorry, I digress).
4. Community and Ecosystem
Every developer gets a little aroused when someone comes close to our ears and softly says "it's open-source" — c'mon, you've been there. Both PostgreSQL and MySQL (saying softly) are... open-source! But MySQL development is largely controlled by Oracle, which is not exactly bad, but can hinder the updates' frequency — something that does not happen with PostgreSQL, with tons of contributors always cooking up something new.
5. Support for Complex Data Types
You can store complex data types in MySQL but it really looks like you're forcing a square peg into a round hole. Sometimes it's hacky, sometimes it's ugly, sometimes you just look at it and think "this can't be right".
PostgreSQL, on the other hand, flies when we're talking about complex data types, like JSON or array types. It is super flexible, allowing you to store and query JSON directly, making it an ideal fit for projects with unstructured or semi-structured data. If you're working with modern web applications that need to juggle data in various formats, PostgreSQL gives you more options to play with.
6. The PostgreSQL + Flashboard Combo
Wait, weren't there only 5 topics?
No! This is a bonus topic that's, well, me telling you about this amazing product we're creating at Seasoned. If you're convinced to go PostgreSQL, you might be interested in what we're building — especially for those non-technical folks (or database dumb, like me!).
Flashboard gives you an instant admin panel for your PostgreSQL database, eliminating the need for custom-built admin solutions. You can forget about spending hours writing complex queries, managing foreign keys, or stressing over user-friendly interfaces for your team. With Flashboard, your PostgreSQL admin panels are created instantly, helping you manage your database effortlessly and securely. It’s designed to scale with your project, so as your data grows, Flashboard keeps up.
If you’re looking for a solution that gives you the power of PostgreSQL with the ease of a ready-to-go admin panel, the PostgreSQL + Flashboard combo is a no-brainer. Together, they let you focus on building your project without getting bogged down by database management.
I hope this article helped you choose your next database — and, yeah, we're kinda leaned into PostgreSQL, so much we're building a tool around it. Comment below if you have chosen another technology or if you have better ideas!
This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Angelo Dias
Angelo Dias | Sciencx (2024-09-13T13:00:00+00:00) PostgreSQL vs MySQL: Which One Fits Your Project?. Retrieved from https://www.scien.cx/2024/09/13/postgresql-vs-mysql-which-one-fits-your-project/
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