Has anyone ever used Postgresql? I've read some articles and it seems that while MySQL is much faster and more popular, Postgresql has many more features, such as stored procedures. I read an interesting article comparing the two at http://www.databasejournal.com/features/mysql/article.php/3288951
You can get information about the respective databases at
http://www.postgresql.org/ and http://www.mysql.com/
I'm interested to hear some opinions about the both since I've only ever used MySQL.

There was a time when it looked like Postgres might pass by mySQL in popularity- ie back in the day before mySQL even supported transactions. Nowadays, mySQL seems IMO to be the best performing DB of the two. There are licensing differences between the two that also might influence peoples choices. I'm sure many people will argue over which one is better, but to me, mySQL has always seemed to be more ubiquitous.

The newer versions of MySQL do include stored procdures as well, which make it very useful when building those applications that need or require them.

MySQL does make a great alternative when you can't afford the Oracle license.

Something I always found interesting when working on Ensim servers is that it used both database servers. Postgresql is installed for Ensim's databases and MySQL is installed for the customer's databases.

Postgre is a more serious and powerful db
we all think mysql is great but really its not Postgre is quite a bit better but more difficult too use

More features means more difficult to use. Actually, it all depends on what you want to accomplish. In reality, mySQL would satisfy all you need for a data-driving application. That's why I vote for mySQL.

Yeah but when it's nice to have triggers and sprocs mysql falls flat on it's face... I was looking into MaxDB but can't find anything solid as the difference between mysql and maxdb.

Thats my biggest complaint about mySQL and I still think that if phpPGAdmin had been developed first - then Postgres would be the defacto - not MySql

There's also criticism of MySQL over the lack of ACID compliance. Apparently if Postgre is a lot better about getting a corrupt database after a power loss, bad insert, etc.

MySQL is definitely moving in the right direction though, and it appears that by v5 most of these concerns should be moot. As bobclingan said, it seems a lot of the criticism of MySQL is of more serious features that were missing in older versions. MySQL 4 and 4.1 have made huge improvements over the old 3.x versions

And by the looks of things will ocntinue to do so...it'll be as robust as Postgres in no time I would imagine - then it WILL be the defacto opensource DB without much real competition.

So - note to future database developers: If you are going to try and come up with a viable competator for MySQL - make sure you have a web based front end that is as good as if not better than phpMyAdmin FIRST...

and support for triggers and sprocs

I thought MySQL 4.1 was fine as far as ACID compliance went.... *goes to website to read*

Do you have any idea when HostMySite's MySQL server(s) will be upgraded to version 5.0.x (current stable release is 5.0.15) ?

... or when PHPMyAdmin will be updated to the latest 2.6.4pl3 version?

MySQL 5.0 is a powerful database server. It support stored procdures and tigger.

The InnoDB engine support more features. It over than Postgresql.

pixelyzed - I wanted to let you know we've been evaluating MySQL 5 and can now announce that we have a live server available with it. If you have an existing account with a MySQL database you can switch over to the MySQL 5 server free of charge. If you want to signup for a new account with MySQL 5 please just note it in the comments of your order

If you have any questions feel free to post them here or give us a call