SQL and MySQL program and manage relational databases. Learn more about the key differences between SQL and MySQL and the skills you need for jobs using these database management tools.
SQL and MySQL are database-related languages. While SQL is a programming language used to work with data in relational databases, MySQL is an open-source database product that implements the SQL standard. MySQL is generally faster and more efficient than other relational database management systems (RDBMS), so it is often the preferred choice for applications that require high performance.
Learn about the SQL programming language, how to use MySQL, and discover some alternatives you might consider exploring. You'll also find a list of jobs commonly using SQL and MySQL alongside suggested courses that can help you gain the job-relevant skills needed to excel in a data-oriented profession.
SQL stands for Structured Query Language, designed specifically for interacting with relational databases. SQL is a language for storing, manipulating, and retrieving data in relational database management systems. You can use the SQL language to modify and create tables in the database, insert new data, modify existing data, delete data from the tables, and query those tables for specific information.
SQL is the preferred language for most relational database management systems, including Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server, and IBM DB2.
IBM developed SQL in the late 1970s. It has been standardized since 1986 by ANSI (American National Standards Institute). Many other vendors have implemented their versions of SQL that are compatible with each other and are like dialects of SQL.
MySQL is a relational database management system. You use it to store data in tables, and the rows of those tables can relate to each other by common information in the columns. The basic idea is that you have one or more "tables" (or "databases") and a set of rows (records) and columns (fields). Other elements, like keys and indexes, help you define them further.
MySQL is a database management system used in web applications. It is available for Linux, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and Solaris and comes with many web hosting packages. You can download MySQL Server software, pronounced “my sequel,” from the official website.
SQL works with many different database systems, so it's not specific to MySQL, but it's a language to know if you want to use MySQL. SQL is also the default query language MySQL uses, so it's easy to learn how to use MySQL without having to learn another language.
Relational databases store data in tables composed of rows and columns. Each row represents an item or record, and each column represents a property of that item.
For example, if you have a database of people, the table might contain columns named "first_name," "last_name," and "address," where each row represents a person, and the values stored in each column are related to each item.
As a result, SQL allows MySQL users to query and operate their databases effectively.
• Select specific rows from a table (in other words, just get some data)
• Insert new rows into tables (add new records)
• Update existing records
• Delete existing records from tables (delete existing records)
Yes, you can use SQL with databases other than MySQL.
The SQL language is an ANSI/ISO standard that any database can implement. Many programmers use SQL to manipulate data stored in PostgreSQL, Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, and others.
No, the alternative to SQL is NoSQL, which stands for "Not Only SQL." While SQL excels for relational databases housing structured data, NoSQL is suitable for unstructured data and big data. NoSQL databases use data models and query languages different from relational databases. Recently, NoSQL databases have gained popularity because they are easier and often more cost-effective to scale than SQL databases.
Some people think that NoSQL databases are always better than relational databases. However, relational databases still have many uses, such as if you want to store complex relationships between items.
Other database management systems are also worth considering for your next project. Many of these database systems offer features that MySQL doesn't have or are easier to use in certain situations than MySQL. Some alternatives to MySQL include:
PostgreSQL: This open-source database is a robust, high-performance object-relational system. With more than 30 years of relentless improvement and architecture that has proven reliability, data integrity, and accessibility, PostgreSQL has earned a strong reputation.
A worldwide group of volunteers develops PostgreSQL, which is released under the terms of the PostgreSQL License, similar to the BSD and MIT licenses.
SQLite: SQLite is a standalone, client-side library that implements a transactional, serverless, zero-configuration SQL database engine. The source code you’ll discover here includes both the core library and example applications you can test.
MariaDB: MariaDB is an alternative to MySQL. MariaDB works with your existing applications and doesn't require any database changes.
Oracle Server (Procedural Language/SQL): Oracle Server is part of Oracle's family of enterprise software products. It provides database services for applications running on Linux or Solaris platforms and Windows Server 2008 R2 or later versions on x64 processors.
Microsoft SQL Server uses the SQL Server database engine Windows Server. Many business applications and other software programs use Microsoft SQL Server.
SQL Server is one of a family of database management systems (DBMS) from Microsoft. The other DBMS products in this family are Azure SQL Database, which provides hosted relational database services, and Azure Analysis Services, which provides in-memory analytics capabilities for business intelligence applications.
To start with SQL and MySQL, you’ll need to learn basic knowledge about databases and the relational model. While most people can learn the basics in less than a day, it takes more time to use SQL and MySQL proficiently. At a glance, here's what you can expect to learn on your SQL and MySQL journey:
Three main areas make up SQL functionality: data definition (creating tables), data manipulation (adding new rows or changing existing ones), and data retrieval (getting information out of a table). These include:
Data Definition Language (DDL)
Data Manipulation Language (DML)
Data Control Language (DCL)
By learning to do these three types of activity, you can start generating data reports, building applications, and analyzing data. You can also learn other languages to interact with relational databases, such as PHP, Java, C++, and Perl.
You’ll discover a lot of terminologies used in the world of SQL and MySQL—some fundamental terms to help you learn the technology quickly.
A database is a collection of information. Databases are either structured or unstructured.
The most common examples of databases are MS Access, SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, and PostgreSQL.
Relational database management systems (RDBMS) are integrated software packages that allow you to store and manipulate data in a relational format. This means that you can make links between records to relate them together. For example, Microsoft Access and MySQL are both Relational DBMSs.
The storage engine is technology in a database that manages how data gets stored on a disk. MySQL's four most commonly used storage engines are MyISAM, InnoDB, MERGE, and MEMORY.
An open-source license is a copyright license for computer software that allows users to use the source code freely, modify, and redistribute it. A core idea in open-source software development is the production by an online community of developers. Open-source software often evolves in a collaborative, public manner.
Database queries get data from the database. With MySQL, you can write them using Structured Query Language (SQL). SQL is a language that directly interacts with the database without using any third-party tools or programming languages.
The combination of SQL and MySQL provides a powerful way to store and interact with data. Some skills you’ll learn as you start your journey with relational databases:
SQL skills:
Understand how to write queries to extract data from a database.
Understand how to join tables together for analysis purposes.
Understand statement syntax to manipulate databases.
Know a coding language for UX design.
MySQL skills:
Understand how to install and configure MySQL.
Know how to create databases, users, tables, and views within those databases.
Know how to populate tables with data.
Understand the basics of SQL syntax to write queries against your database.
Understand what privileges exist within MySQL so you can assign them appropriately.
Know how to manage permissions so users can only access what they need.
The SQL language performs various functions and helps people in many different job roles. Check out some of the jobs that use SQL and MySQL along with their base annual pay, according to Glassdoor:
Database administrator: $105,066 [1]
Database and systems administrator: $98,971 [2]
Database developer: $105,434 [3]
Data analyst: $85,113 [4]
Business intelligence developer: $98,946 [5]
Data warehouse architect: $131,603 [6]
Data warehouse analyst: $108,176 [7]
Data warehouse manager: $119,021 [8]
Business systems analyst: $108,004 [9]
Business intelligence developer/analysts: $115,772 [10]
SQL and MySQL lie at the heart of many businesses' data storage and analysis efforts. If you're interested in a career working with relational databases, you might consider taking a cost-effective online course or specialization through Coursera. In Google's Data Analytics Professional Certificate, learn how to process and analyze data, use key analysis tools, apply SQL and R programming, and create visualizations that can inform key business decisions.
Glassdoor. “How much does a data administrator make?, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/us-database-administrator-salary-SRCH_IL.0,2_IN1_KO3,25.htm.” Accessed January 13, 2025.
Glassdoor. “How much does a database and systems administrator make?, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/us-database-systems-administrator-salary-SRCH_IL.0,2_IN1_KO3,33.htm.” Accessed January 13, 2025.
Glassdoor. “How much does a database developer make?, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/us-database-developer-salary-SRCH_IL.0,2_IN1_KO3,21.htm.” Accessed January 13, 2025.
Glassdoor. “How much does a data analyst make?, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/us-data-analyst-salary-SRCH_IL.0,2_IN1_KO3,15.htm.” Accessed January 13, 2025.
Glassdoor. “How much does a business intelligence developer make?, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/us-business-intelligence-developer-salary-SRCH_IL.0,2_IN1_KO3,34.htm.” Accessed January 13, 2025.
Glassdoor. “How much does a data warehouse architect make?, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/us-data-warehouse-architect-salary-SRCH_IL.0,2_IN1_KO3,27.htm.” Accessed January 13, 2025.
Glassdoor. “How much does a data warehouse analyst make?, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/us-data-warehouse-analyst-salary-SRCH_IL.0,2_IN1_KO3,25.htm.” Accessed January 13, 2025.
Glassdoor. “How much does a data warehouse manager make?, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/us-data-warehouse-manager-salary-SRCH_IL.0,2_IN1_KO3,25.htm.” Accessed January 13, 2025.
Glassdoor. “How much does a business systems analyst make?, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/us-business-systems-analyst-salary-SRCH_IL.0,2_IN1_KO3,27.htm.” Accessed January 13, 2025.
Glassdoor. “How much does a business intelligence developer/analyst make?, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/us-business-intelligence-analyst-developer-salary-SRCH_IL.0,2_IN1_KO3,42.htm.” Accessed January 13, 2025.
Editorial Team
Coursera’s editorial team is comprised of highly experienced professional editors, writers, and fact...
This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work.
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance.
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalization. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly.