Oracle supports both MySQL as well as Oracle SQL. However, My SQL was developed by a Swedish-based company, and Oracle later acquired it. Interestingly, both are relational database management systems used by small and large companies worldwide. Of course, at the outset, we may conclude that Oracle is always the best software, but none analyzes the capabilities of MySQL. Also, there are a lot of differences, and those differences are not restricted to the syntax alone.
This article shall give a brief overview of the relational database and compare these on specific parameters. Finally, we shall also analyze their advantages in various circumstances.
What is MySQL?
It is indeed a most popular database management system. It is used in relational databases. MySQL is an open-source database management software. People prefer MySQL for its speed, scalability factor, and user-friendly syntax. This is easier than Microsoft SQL Server. Even professionals find MySQL easier to use than the Oracle database.
One may find MySQL to be used primarily with PHP scripts. It also helps create dynamic and powerful web as well as server-side applications. The software is easy to use, and the task of creating an application is relatively fast. That means that you can create an application within hours and deploy it as per the client’s requirement.
MySQL, as said earlier, was developed by a Swedish company called MySQL AB. The software was written in C and C++. It is not only open-source software but also cross-platform software. Yes, it can be used on Windows, Linux, and macOS systems. You can use it with C, C++, or Java languages conveniently.
Features of MySQL
- Interaction with MySQL is very easy. One can use simple and use only a few statements to do so.
- Highly secured software as the password is encrypted.
- MySQL follows Client/ Server architecture.
- MySQL is free as well as open-source software.
- MySQL helps in high performance, higher levels of flexibility, and maximum productivity.
What is Oracle?
Oracle is primarily developed to eliminate human errors in database management. Oracle is self-driven and self–secured software. Moreover, the software helps in repairing itself in terms of error management. Like MySQL, Oracle is also a cross-platform software used across large enterprises. The best part about Oracle is that saving and retrieving data is pretty fast. When volumes of data are present, Oracle is the best software to access the database conveniently without any delay. Unlike MySQL, Oracle is not free for commercial purposes. Though the free version is available for the students for learning purposes. Interestingly, Oracle is developed to be:
- Portable
- Scalable, and
- Programmable for your business requirements
Features of Oracle
- Oracle supports logical database structure. The commands shall interact with the database without even knowing the storage area.
- Oracle supports a lot of data, and processing it is a very easy task.
- The ACID property of Oracle ensures the data’s safety, security, and reliability.
- The network stacks in Oracle help interact with different databases on different platforms.
- The recovery manager tool helps recover the files and takes their back up.
Detailed Comparison of MySQL vs. Oracle
Year of Release
MySQL was released in 1995. On the other hand, Oracle was developed and released in 1980. Though an age-old software company, Oracle, the company acquired MySQL AB as the software developed by the Swedish scientists was conducive to being used by smaller companies. Incidentally, Oracle software was not preferred by the smaller and medium-sized companies worldwide.
Database Type
MySQL is free, and hence it is open-source software. It can be used by anyone and start interacting with MySQL across platforms. However, it is also licensed under GNU. While this is the case with MySQL, the express Oracle software is free and can be used by students. However, one needs to purchase the license for commercial purposes, and it is pretty expensive. This is one of the reasons MySQL is preferred over Oracle.
Capabilities of the Database
Companies of any size widely use MySQL. It is highly scalable. On the other hand, Oracle is designed to use large corporations and enterprises. Oracle can handle a large amount of data in a dynamic environment. Storing and retrieving data in a complex environment is highly possible with Oracle.
MySQL does not support data partitioning. This makes it function only with static systems. So, MySQL shall be the right choice for companies with static data and systems. With the comparatively low price, MySQL shall do the same task with high speed and reliability as Oracle does in a dynamic environment. At the same time, Oracle does support data partitioning. It means that the software can support both static as well as dynamic systems. Though Oracle can work on static systems, a few exceptions need to be noted. One prime example is MySQL can work on Null values, but Oracle cannot.
The language supported by MySQL is SQL alone. So, if you are planning to work on MySQL, you must be well-versed in SQL language. But, Oracle can be accessed using SQL and PL/SQL.
One interesting fact about both software is the cross-platform accessibility. Though at the outset, we may call MySQL and Oracle cross-platform supporting software, the number of operating systems supported by MySQL is more when compared to Oracle. Yes, apart from Windows, Linux and macOS, MySQL also supports BSD, Symbian, and AmigaOS. No wonder MySQL is preferred by small and medium-sized companies.
MySQL version 5 shall support stored procedures. But not the earlier versions, though. At the same time, the stored procedures that are embedded in the database can be triggered or even executed easily.
The major aspect that differentiates the database capability is the customization procedure. MySQL is open-source software. Based on your business requirements, you may customize the same. But, the oracle cannot be customized as it is a closed source platform — any alterations required need to be informed to the professionals before deploying.
Administration and Security Features
Both the software are highly secured, but there are a few differences in accessing activity. Both require a username and password to access. But, MySQL requires a host. It means with the username and password, the user is authenticated to interact and access. This becomes easy to use and has no security threat unless you disclose the credentials.
On the other hand, Oracle also requires a username and password, but profile creation is a mandated task to identify roles. This adds to the security feature of the software. Unless the profile is created, you cannot access the software. Only when the profile is validated can you get to use Oracle.
Support
You have 24/7 technical support for MySQL. You can get the errors and bugs fixed. Also, maintenance of the software and security patches required are maintained easily. Oracle has a wide variety of support as it is a paid product. Oracle offers community support too.
The main parameters are compared between MySQL and Oracle. It is widely seen that the business requirement decides the software usage. If you are a small company with a decent amount of data to be processed, MySQL is the right choice. Whereas large and complex volumes of data are to be processed in a cross-platform and dynamic environment, you can opt for Oracle. Also, the static systems are easier to work with MySQL than Oracle, though the latter supports both dynamic and static environments.
Advantages and Disadvantages of MySQL and Oracle
If you are a data expert who expects to transfer a database from Oracle to MySQL, you must carefully examine the advantages and disadvantages of both.
Advantages of MySQL
It is an undeniable fact that MySQL has no advantages. It is exceptionally good in a few areas where Oracle shall not be of good choice.
There are companies where the degree of scalability of the data is not too much. In such cases, MySQL works wonders. Though MySQL is used in large companies, the volume of data handled is relatively low compared to Oracle. But for moderate data, MySQL is the fastest and more reliable.
As a company, you may want to display the real-time data on your company’s mobile application or website. In such cases, MySQL is the right choice. It can be readily used along with PHP scripts and post the stock market view for the day, and even if it changes every second, it shall be seen in real-time on the website or the application.
The level of replication, if it is restricted, MySQL can be used conveniently. As the software can be used only in static systems, no or less replication can be a suitable environment for MySQL.
The fee paid in terms of licensing is zero to some amount. As the software is open-source, it is available for free. Furthermore, the GNU license is also not expensive. Finally, MySQL is chosen over Oracle if only simpler statements are required to be used, unlike Oracle.
Disadvantages of MySQL
The restrictions are on in terms of open source too. As Oracle owns it, the software is restricted to small and medium-sized companies. The software cannot be integrated with client applications and works as an independent medium. The speed of MySQL is slower when compared to Oracle. The memory storage capacity is low, resulting in lower thread pool handling capacity. Large thread pools cannot be accessed. The software is not completely open-source; you need to buy the license at one point to gain complete access — the decision to choose between the two lies in the business requirement. You may consult with the experts at Oracle and select the right Software.
Advantages of Oracle
Firstly, the software is a paid product. That means to say; the fixes can happen relatively faster. You may also be a premium customer, and the support shall be undivided. The speed at which any error is rectified is unmatched. Oracle is named after-sale service, and with a product like Oracle software, you can be double sure about the technical support you need.
Secondly, the software is conducive in environments where the data volume is too huge. Oracle can process them in no time. The software is not only fast but also highly secured with ACID in place. Moreover, with the flexibility in using the software in multiple systems with credentials and profiles, you can access the data anytime and anywhere. That means that Oracle is platform-independent, which makes it portable too.
Thirdly, the software not only supports larger databases but is also used for higher-order interaction. The software need not even know where the data is stored physically but shall establish a logical connection when a query is raised. The larger concurrency pool is supported by the software, which is not possible with MySQL.
Lastly, the transactions are very easy in Oracle. Multi-platform usage and accessibility in multiple systems can be of greater help to large companies.
Disadvantages of Oracle
The transparency of the product is quite less. It is not open-source software. Further, the enterprise edition alone is free, and it can be used only for learning. If you are getting a license, it is expensive, and the necessary support depends on the subscription plan.
The software cannot be customized for your requirements. It is indeed a costly affair for small companies to use Oracle. The syntax used in Oracle is pretty complex. One needs to learn Oracle to access it, and the learning curve is very steep and takes a longer duration to master its usage.
Conclusion
MySQL and Oracle SQL are both relational database systems controlled by Oracle Corporation. MySQL is mainly open-source and free to use, while Oracle focuses on being commercial and paid. Even though the company has given several customization options for MySQL compared to Oracle, that is set to be the finished product without a customizable option. However, both the systems offer help, community, and tech support. Yet, owned by the same organization, both systems still carry different functionalities, like data partitioning or threads. However, it would be wise to consider your project’s finances before selecting any specific database system.