Re: PostgreSQL vs Mysql comparison

> [I skipped the PHP3 list because there this discussion is even more
>  off-topic than here ...]

Good.

First, let me mention that I was re-playing my recollection of the
discussion from the past.

> On Sun 1999-10-03 22:30:44 -0400, Bruce Momjian wrote:
> > Second, the MySQL folks don't mention the features they _don't_ have,
> > except now they mention they don't have transactions.
>
> Well, maybe nobody told you, but see chapter "5.3 Functionality
> missing from MySQL" of the MySQL Reference Manual ...
> <URL: http://www.mysql.com/Manual_chapter/manual_Compatibility.html#Missing_functions >

I am talking about the database comparison chart.  We said in the past,
"Hey, you don't mention a major feature that every DBMS should have, and
that is transaction/rollback, and they said, "We don't know how to test
for that."  Well, all it takes is "BEGIN WORK; DELETE; ROLLBACK" and see
if the deletion is there.  Not rocket science.

From that reply, I concluded, again in the past, that they didn't really
want to show anything objective.

It seemed to present itself as objective, and that bothered me because
it seemed so slanted to MySQL.

> So your statement is plain wrong and I'd really appreciate you not to
> make such general statements if you don't have a clue.

I have a clue, but I will admit I don't know a lot about what is going
on in MySQL land.

>
> But in general, you never can mention every features that exists in
> any of the existing DBMSs!  A reasonable compromise is to compare
> one's feature set with a know base like a standard.  The MySQL Manual
> compares against SQL92 and clearly says what's there and what's
> missing.

We were not talking about every function, but the comparison chart
seemed to consciously avoid mention of anything that would make MySQL
look bad.

That has been corrected quite a long time ago, I should say.

> What I like about the MySQL developers (and the MySQL Manual) is that
> they--as far as I know them--never try to devalue other products but
> just state what's there, what's not there, for what kind of
> applications MySQL fits best, for which not, and how to work around
> given limitations, if possible.  In short:  they are objective.
>
> So it would be nice, if try to be objective, too.

Let me mention something that is a was very glad to see.  The MySQL
manuals actually recommend PostreSQL for people who need transactions.
Now, that takes humility.  That is clearly a sign of MySQL objectivity.

> > The bottom line from my perspective is that the benchmark is really
> > intended not as a fair comparison, but to make MySQL look good.
>
> Hmm, I really wonder what makes you think so?
> What is not fair about this comparison?

Again, I don't know.  It was more the comparison chart than the
benchmark numbers that bothered me.

Basically, if you looked at the comparison chart, it made anyone wonder
why they would use anything but MySQL it made MySQL look so good.  But
people are use other database.


> > This upset me, but the increasing growth of PostgreSQL and the
> > awards we have won make me suspect that people are smarter than we
> > think, and have figured out where MySQL is strongest, and where
> > PostgreSQL is strongest.
>
> Exactly.  This is, why MySQL is often seen as db backend for web
> applications, because the mix of mainly selects with fewer inserts,
> combined with simple processing only and the need for great speed
> fits exactly MySQL's feature set.
> For many other applications MySQL won't be an ideal choice, but
> actually (believe it or not) this is exactly what the MySQL developers
> say themself, too!  Just use the right tool for the right task.

Agreed.  I have a FAQ item on our web page that talks about comparison
between ourselves and other databases at www.postgresql.org under Info
Centra/Documentation.  I would be interested to hear any comments about
it.  It does not mention any other database system, but generally talks
about our strengths and weaknesses.



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