Hey, Threadiverse! I’m looking for informed opinions on database choices.

I can stand up an Internet-facing application and have it use either MySQL or PostgreSQL. Which is the better choice, and why do you think so?

Thanks!

  • earmuff@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    311·
    1 day ago

    While there was a time, where those databases were considered “good”, they are only this famous because they have been free or open source for ages. Professors love open source stuff. This does not necessarily mean it is a good product in terms of database functionality. They have been stuck in the old age and simply get outperformed by almost anything. Professors also hate to change their slides and to learn something new. Because their priority is on functionality, not on real world use. And when you want to use a product in the real world, non-functional properties gain a lot of value. One of them is performance.

    If you want to have a fast, reliable, open source database, use ClickHouse.

    • sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      3·
      17 hours ago

      Generally speaking, if a professor recommends something, it probably sucks. Their information is incredibly outdated and is usually whatever they used in their own undergrad program.

      At school I learned:

      • Java
      • PHP
      • MySQL
      • C#
      • C++
      • Racket (Lisp)

      Each of those has a better alternative, with C# being the least bad. For example:

      • Java -> Kotlin
      • PHP -> Python
      • MySQL -> SQLite or Postgres
      • C# -> Python (desktop QT GUIs) or web stack (e.g. Tauri for desktop web stack)
      • C++ -> Rust (non-games) or a game engine
      • Lisp -> Haskell

      Formal education is for learning concepts, learn programming languages and tools on your own.

      • dallen@programming.devEnglish
        5·
        24 hours ago

        The question was for an internet facing application, not a homelab.

        As someone who has dealt with MariaDB in production, I would certainly look elsewhere. Haven’t had any colleagues who would disagree…

      • earmuff@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
        32·
        1 day ago

        Smear campaign with an open source product? Are you sure you still have a working organ between your ears?

        That being said, my recommendation is based on using databases in big data environments for 15 years. But I am glad that your home lab is working fine with MariaDB. Does not mean it is a good product. And your comment just proves my point.