What is the difference between SQL and mySQL?

Answer 1

SQL is a database query language.

MySQL is a free database program. MSSQL is Microsoft's expensive database program.

Answer 2

SQL, as noted by others stands for Structured Query Language. There are MANY databases available that use SQL, including:

*MySQL
*Microsoft SQL (which includes the FREE MSDE/SQL Express and the EXPENSIVE SQL Server 2000/2005)
*IBM's DB2
*Oracle
*PostgreSQL
*Informix

All the above (and some others) support SQL, however, they often use their own dialect. Just like people in the USA, Australia, and Britain all speak english, each is a dialect of english. For example, in Britain (and maybe Australia) people commonly use the word "Lift" for "Elevator", which is used in the united states. Well, SQL has variations as well. For example, using Microsoft SQL, if you wanted to retrieve ALL fields of the first 5 records by last name, you would use:
SELECT TOP 5 * FROM TableName ORDER BY LastNameField

But using MySQL, you would say:
SELECT * FROM TableName LIMIT 5 ORDER BY LastNameField

As you can see, they are similar, but different - MSSQL would not understand LIMIT while MySQL would not understand TOP.

Answer 3

SQL and mySQL has same set of everything. Probably you use mySQL while doing database in PHP and for other you use SQL.

Answer 4

SQL is Structured Query Language

MySQL is the name for one SQL manufacturer's product.