Why MySQL and not PostgreSQL?

[kgun]

Something has surprised me. I can not remember a single post on this forum about

1. PostgreSQL: The world's most advanced open source database postgresql site:webproworld.com 41 hits but
2. many about MySQL :: The world's most popular open source database mysql site:webproworld.com 1230 hits

Both are free and some database experts seem to agree that PosgreSQL is a better database platform.

Two examples:

1. http://www.webproworld.com/programmi...tml#post483321 They use PostgreSQL in their examples and say that PostgreSQL is a better platform than MySQL.
2. The PHP Anthology: 101 Essential Tips, Tricks & Hacks, 2nd Edition - SitePoint Books The authers say the same.

So my simple question is why do so many seem to prefer MySQL over PostgreSQL?

Is it simply because of a larger online community?

[morestar]

I believe it's because of the larger online community and that MySQL seems to be more trusted as a database platform because of it's wide usage. I could be wrong though kgun.

[newconceptdesign]

I believe it is the same type of question that we had asked about 30 years ago. Which one is better VHS or beta? Recently it was HD DVD vs BlueRay.

I think the issue here is the user base, and that is followed by on-line communities where you can find support and help.

[bwinkers]

MySQL is easier to manage with multiple users on the same server.
This is importnat for an ISP.
ISP's therefore leaned toward offering MySQL.
Because it was readily available on servers more developers used it.

PostgreSQL is a better choice for enterprise applications.
MySQL is better for non-transactional web site usage.

[wpriley]

Two simple reasons:

1) Most hosting companies support MySQL and not PostgreSQL.

2) Virtually all database driven third-party applications support MySQL versus 20% (at best) that support PostgreSQL.

The VHS versus BetaMax analogy above is good ... the best product doesn't always win!

[kgun]

Thank you all for your input.

Personally I don't see the problem.

1. Is it connecting to the database (one, two or three lines of scripting code) or
2. SQL that is the problem?

I think more and more hosters compile PHP with the PDO Class as they upgrade to newer versions of PHP. Then you can write portable database driven web sites that is more or less independent of your database platform.

So I see no important reason why MySQL should be chosen if all the above mentioned experts seem to agree that PostgreSQL is the best open database platform.

Related:
http://www.webproworld.com/programmi...tml#post457711

Book:
Simply SQL

[danlefree]

pgsql's features aren't free - there are performance penalties and resource requirements which make it more economical for hosting providers to give their customers MySQL.

If you own your own server you have your choice (I'm guessing maybe 10% of the regular posters here have their own box) - for everyone else, there's MySQL.

[kgun]

pgsql's features aren't free - there are performance penalties and resource requirements which make it more economical for hosting providers to give their customers MySQL.

I have some experince with Sybase Transact SQL and plain simple MySQL, but I have no experience with PostgreSQL so you need to be more specific. What do you mean by:

1. PostgreSQL's features aren't free?
2. There are performance penalties and resource requirements
3. for hosting providers to give their customers MySQL.

This is written on the site:

• PostgreSQL is free.
• PostgreSQL is an open source database.

More precisley, does it mean

• that it is a more complex and complicated platform
• more expensive for hosters to offer even if it is free and open?

If you by "PostgreSQL's features aren't free" mean that it is too complicated for the average webmaster to learn, I don't agree. My view, if (s)he can master PHP, (s)he should not have big problems mastering PostgreSQL.

There are unnecessary performance penalties and resource requriments for any data base platform if the design is bad and the platform is not optimized. But a richer feature set should increase the opportunities, even for database optimization.

Book reference: Sams Teach Yourself Transact-SQL in 21 Days

[danlefree]

more expensive for hosters to offer even if it is free and open?

That would be it.

Again, those who have their own servers will pick the DB backend which works for their implementation (and smart developers will pick the DB backend that has the features they need and plan to need - not necessarily the DB that has the most features).

Those who do not have their own servers will generally be stuck with whichever DB backend their host supports.

Though control panels like WHM/cPanel support both pgsql and mysql, mysql seems to be the more popular choice (focus on speed over features = smaller memory footprint = more customers per server).

That's my theory, in response to your question of why MySQL remains the more common topic of discussion here @ WPW.

[deepsand]

Those who do not have their own servers will generally be stuck with whichever DB backend their host supports.

IMO, that's it in a nutshell.

It's a phenomena that is in no way here unique, but applies to all users of all applications of all technologies.
.