Postgresql vs MariaDB

PostgreSQL and MariaDB are both popular open-source relational database management systems (RDBMS) used for storing and managing data. Although both systems offer many similar features, there are significant differences between them in terms of functionalities, performance characteristics, and support.

PostgreSQL

• Advanced Features: PostgreSQL is known for its advanced features such as support for complex queries, foreign keys, triggers, views, transactions with ACID properties, and more. It also supports advanced data types like arrays, hstore (a key-value store), JSON/JSONB, and geometric data types.
• Performance: PostgreSQL is often praised for its performance in complex queries and its ability to handle large datasets. It offers robust indexing mechanisms like B-trees, Multiversion Concurrency Control (MVCC), and GIN indexes for complex search queries.
• Extensibility: A key feature of PostgreSQL is its extensibility. Developers can add new functionalities, such as data types, functions, operators, and index methods, without modifying the core code.
• Licensing: PostgreSQL is released under the PostgreSQL license, a liberal open-source license similar to the MIT license.
• Clustering Capability: PostgreSQL supports native partitioning and sharding through its architecture, allowing efficient data distribution across multiple servers. Additionally, there are third-party extensions like Postgres-XL for horizontal scaling and Citus, which adds distributed database functionalities to enhance clustering capability.
• Point-in-Time Recovery (PITR) Backups: PostgreSQL offers extensive backup and recovery options, including PITR. PITR allows databases to be restored to a specific point in the past, which is very useful for minimizing data loss after an error.
• High Availability and Scalability: PostgreSQL can be made highly available through replication solutions like streaming replication and logical replication. For scalability, PostgreSQL offers native partitioning and the aforementioned third-party extensions, as well as load balancing and failover mechanisms.

MariaDB

• Derivative of MySQL: MariaDB was created as a fork of MySQL after MySQL was acquired by Oracle. It aims for full binary compatibility with MySQL, meaning it can function as a drop-in replacement.
• Performance and Storage Engines: MariaDB is known for its high performance and scalability, supporting a wide range of storage engines, including Aria, InnoDB, and MyISAM. It also offers features like Pool-of-Threads to improve scalability and performance.
• Extensions over MySQL: MariaDB adds numerous enhancements and new features not present in MySQL, including advanced query optimizations, new storage engines, and extensions for geo-spatial support.
• Licensing: MariaDB is released under the GPL v2 license, which requires that all changes and extensions are also released under the same license.
• Clustering Capability: MariaDB provides a built-in solution for synchronous replication across multiple nodes with MariaDB Galera Cluster. This facilitates the setup of highly available systems with automatic failover and recovery without the need for additional software.
• Point-in-Time Recovery (PITR) Backups: Similar to PostgreSQL, MariaDB supports PITR backups, with implementation varying by the storage engine used. In addition to traditional backup solutions, MariaDB also offers snapshot backups and incremental backups.
• High Availability and Scalability: MariaDB achieves high availability through the use of MariaDB Galera Cluster and other replication methods. For scalability, MariaDB offers support for master-slave and master-master replication configurations. Performance can be further enhanced through features like Pool-of-Threads and query optimization.

Conclusion

While PostgreSQL excels with its extensibility, advanced data processing capabilities, and robust support for complex data structures, as well as clustering capabilities via third-party extensions, MariaDB offers an attractive alternative with a strong emphasis on easy cluster setup, PITR backups, and scalability through MariaDB Galera Cluster and a variety of storage engines. Both database systems offer excellent options for high availability and scalability, with the choice depending on specific requirements, the experience of the development team, and the existing infrastructure.