Question

I’ve developed most of my applications in PHP-MySQL, because it was quick and easy. Now, with more complex applications and I’m wondering if MySQL is a good choice. I’ll be building my latest application with PostgreSQL. What are things I need to be aware of? What was I missing when using MySQL?

Answer 1

This Wiki page is a good start:
http://wiki.postgresql.org/wiki/Converting_from_other_Databases_to_PostgreSQL#MySQL

Edit: to answer the second part (things you have been missing):

• generate_series()
• deferrable constraints
• check constraints
• recursive queries
• table functions
• common table expressions
• windowing functions
• function based index
• partial indexes
• full text search on transactional tables
• GIS features on transactional tables
• MINUS or INTERSECT operator

Edit2: things you might find problematic

• PostgreSQL is far more strict in terms of matching datatypes (where character_column = 1 will throw an error)
• no cross-database queries, if you need something like that, mapping MySQL databases to PostgreSQL schemas is probably easier
• No variables in regular SQL statements (set @nr = 1; select @nr + 1…)