Tell me more ×
Database Administrators Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for database professionals who wish to improve their database skills and learn from others in the community. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 4 down vote favorite

I am searching for a comparison table between MySQL and SQL Server Express.

Comparisons should include...

  • Usage limit
  • Tools (management/dev/backup/monitoring/...)
  • "simultaneous connection"

It's for my company, I need to know what should I install.

It's for migrating from access db

if you have opinion, suggestions,....

Thank you

share|improve this question
2  
Why not take PostgreSQL into account as well? In terms of SQL features it's much closer to SQL Server (in fact that are several areas where it's better) – a_horse_with_no_name Nov 12 '12 at 19:50

4 Answers

up vote 2 down vote accepted

Microsoft provides a comparison between MySQL, SQL Server Express, and SQL Server Enterprise. Just go to http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/en/us/product-info/competitor-compare.aspx and pick MySQL in the dropdown box. Take it with a grain of salt, as the information is provided by Microsoft, the maker of SQL Server.

If you go to http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/en/us/product-info/compare.aspx and click on SQL Server Express, you will see just how restrictive the limitations are: Express will run only using one CPU, will only use up to 1 GB of RAM, and will allow you to have a database up to 10 GB only.

If you do not want to face all those restrictions you should go with MySQL. MySQL provides InnoDB engine which is fully ACID compliant, you can have online backups by using mysqldump with correct options with InnoDB tables or by using Xtrabackup from Percona. I would recommend going with Linux for MySQL as it is usually a more stable platform and gives you more flexibility since many tools for MySQL are written for Linux. MySQL has replication and high availability if you go with MySQL Cluster.

share|improve this answer
tank you, but I look, and I cant install driver on client, no admin right (and cant change that) – forX Oct 24 '11 at 15:04
up vote 9 down vote

I will be totally honest with you. While MySQL works fine in Windows, I would not recommend it for any Enterprise use in Windows.

You should go with SQL Server Express because you will have a database that works great in Windows for Free. Should your company fully commit to Enterprise Database usage, you could simply upgrade to SQL Server (different advanced versions).

If you are going for moderate budget, go with MySQL, BUT SWITCH TO Linux. High Availability solutions fit Linux and Unix, not Windows.

share|improve this answer
MySQL 5.5 does quite well on Windows. As the question is about migration from Access: It can't be worse ;-) (while Access has some nice use cases) – johannes Oct 20 '11 at 23:51
tank, I was think the same by using sql express. My idea was starting with sql express. test migration of db and application. test express option. and if they want more (or I see they need more), I will ask for standard or enterprise. I dont go on standard now because of all company politics, that will take minimum of 2weeks to get a paid version. my interrogation is about db backup, did express have something? – forX Oct 21 '11 at 13:31
with SQL Express, you can easily build BACKUP scripts by right-click BACKUP in SSMS, and then you can hit the SCRIPT button and then you can easily use this script in a stored procedure, or via the command line, etc. I love SQL Server backup, and mySQL backup terrifies me.. I just don't want to have to troubleshoot 40mb mySQL backups.. and I've never had much trouble with SQL Server backup / restore. To be honest, in 12 years, I've had ONE backup that wouldn't restore because it had a CRC error. That was my own fault for transferring large BAK file over dialup without compression :) – Aaron Kempf Nov 12 '12 at 18:48
on the mySQL side, I'm ALWAYS having scripts fail.. I just think that SQL Server backups are ten times as enterprise ready than mySQL.. MySQL backups are just a bunch of scripts, It really disgusts me, I just want something that JUST*WORKS. I abhor SQL files that are 40mb when you have to troubleshoot that much SQL, it's just impossible. – Aaron Kempf Nov 12 '12 at 18:49
up vote 3 down vote

Comparison of relational database management systems wiki contains feature comparisons for many RDBMSs.

Although SQL Server Express is not listed in the wiki, SQL Server is. You will have to look up Microsoft's comparison of what is different between SQL Server and SQL Server Express.

share|improve this answer
I look for this (different between SQL Server and SQL Server Express.) but theres so much thing that I dont understand. I look at microsoft.com/sqlserver/en/us/product-info/compare.aspx, compare so many thing. but what I need I only have 100 people here, maybe some software, but rarely use more than 1 at a time. if you have a better/more basic user compare list, that can be very helpful. – forX Oct 21 '11 at 13:36
up vote -4 down vote

if you're migrating from Access to SQL, I really reccomend you look at Client-Server migraition options for SQL Server Express. I think that this is an AWESOME platform, and it should allow you to easily bring your application to the next level. SQL Server Express is AWESOME, I use it and frequently have over 100 databases on SQL Server Express without problems.

share|improve this answer
1  
what does this have to do with MySQL? – swasheck Nov 12 '12 at 18:40
who cares if it has to do with mySQL, he asked about mySQL vs SQL Express. Access to SQL Express is an EASIER CONVERSION than anything else, there's a couple of built in 'upsizing wizards' that do all the hard work for you. – Aaron Kempf Nov 15 '12 at 23:12
1  
@Aaron: The question is not about smoothness of conversion, it's about Usage limit, Tools (management/dev/backup/monitoring/...) and "simultaneous connection". That's probably why you got downvotes. Oh, and the CAPITAL WORDS, too, raise some feelings. It doesn't become more awesome if you write it in capitals. – ypercube Nov 15 '12 at 23:46

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.