PostgreSQL database server: Does slow and steady win the race?
Takeaway: If you’re more concerned with features and stability than performance in your database, PostgreSQL is for you. This rich, stable platform packs a slower but more powerful punch than MySQL. Find out how to put PostgreSQL to use. When it comes to open source and freely available database servers, most people will point you to MySQL. MySQL is one of the most popular open source SQL database systems available for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Windows, and a number of *NIX variants. It’s a fast and lightweight database server used as the back end for a lot of dynamic Web sites. However, another contender in the open source database derby is PostgreSQL, which may not be as light on its feet as MySQL but offers more stability and a richer feature set. In this Daily Drill Down, I will first look at the differences between PostgreSQL and MySQL. Then, I’ll show you how to build, configure, and use PostgreSQL.