PostgreSQL vs MySQL
Tags: postgres, postgressql, discuss, database
Published: 2023-07-28 14:40:02

In this article I will be explaining the difference between PostgreSQL and MySQL based on their architecture and performance.
Let's get started...

**Introduction:**
PostgreSQL and MySQL are two popular choices whenever we want to choose the Database Management System for the application. 
Both of these databases has their own strengths to cater the different use cases.
Both are relational database management systems (RDBMS), but PostgreSQL stands out as an object-relational DBMS (ORDBMS) with advanced capabilities.

**1. Architecture and Performance:**

PostgreSQL:
As PostgreSQL has ORDBMS architecture it provides advantage over MySQL. PostgreSQL does not requires read or write locks, which allows multiple users to access and modify data simultaneously without any inconvenience. These features of the PostgreSQL make it ideal choice for the environment where there are multiple users working simultaneously on it.

MySQL:
MySQL relies on write locks to achieve concurrency. It can lead to a reduction in the number of concurrent operations per process, which reduces its performance in write-heavy scenarios. To make it well suited for write heavy scenarios, considerable resources are needed to be added for that. And MySQL excels in read-heavy operations which makes it suitable solution for applications which are simple and relies only on data retrieval operations for the most of the time.

**2. Speed vs. Data Integrity:**

MySQL:
MySQL's design prioritizes speed over data integrity and standards compliance. In simple implementations, MySQL can outperform PostgreSQL due to its lightweight approach and lower memory usage. For applications that primarily read and display information from the database, MySQL may offer superior performance.

PostgreSQL:
PostgreSQL, on the other hand, sacrifices some speed for the sake of data integrity and compliance with industry standards. when creating a new process it allocates a large amount of memory (almost 10MB)  for each connection, which can lead to high memory usage. Well, this trade-off ensures that data is handled with strict adherence to consistency and reliability, making PostgreSQL a preferable choice for applications where data accuracy and reliability are critical.

**3. Write-Heavy Operations and Data Warehousing:**

PostgreSQL:
PostgreSQL excels in write-heavy operations, which makes it well suited for applications which requires large number of write transactions. It also supports concurrent writes and robust transaction management. This makes it ideal for systems where  real-time data updates are required.

MySQL:
As discussed above MySQL performs well in only read-heavy scenarios. Whereas PostgreSQL performs well in the write heavy scenario. As PostgreSQL is an ORDBMS, this makes it a favorable choice for data warehousing solutions.

Conclusion:
In short, PostgreSQL and MySQL, both are powerful database management systems, but their strengths lie in different areas. PostgreSQL is an excellent choice for the reliable, and database which is feature-rich to handle large-scale and complex applications. Whereas, MySQL is best choice for the applications which are simpler and read heavy operations are the critical part of it.