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Ahmed Raza Idrisi
Ahmed Raza Idrisi

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SQL vs MYSQL difference

  1. SQL

Full form: Structured Query Language

What it is:

  • A language/standard used to interact with relational databases.
  • Defines how to create, read, update, and delete data (CRUD).
  • It's like the grammar or syntax rules for talking to any relational database.

Scope:

Not tied to a single database — used by MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, Oracle, etc.

Example:

SELECT name FROM employees WHERE salary > 50000;

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This query works (with small variations) in almost all relational databases.

  1. MySQL

Full form: My Structured Query Language (though officially it’s just “MySQL”)

What it is:

  • A database management system (DBMS) — specifically a relational DBMS.
  • It uses SQL to interact with the data.
  • Created by MySQL AB, now owned by Oracle Corporation.

Scope:

  • Implements SQL (with MySQL-specific extensions).
  • Includes tools for storage, security, backups, replication, etc.

Example:

When you install MySQL on your computer, you get a database engine that understands SQL commands and stores your data in MySQL's storage system.

Key differnece mysql and sql

In simple and easy words

"SQL is a language, MySQL is a database."

  • SQL → A standard language to communicate with relational databases. Example:
SELECT * FROM users;

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Works in MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, etc.

  • MySQL → A relational database management system (RDBMS) that uses SQL to store and manage data. Example: You install MySQL to store your website’s user data, then use SQL to query it.

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