Efficient MS SQL to MySQL Conversion – Tools, Methods,
and Best Practices
What is MS SQL and MySQL?
MS SQL (Microsoft SQL Server):
Microsoft SQL Server is a powerful relational database
management system (RDBMS) designed for enterprise applications. It supports
complex queries, stored procedures, and advanced data security features.
MySQL:
MySQL is an open-source RDBMS widely used for web
applications, offering high performance, ease of use, and strong community
support. It is especially popular in LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP)
environments.
Key Differences Between MS SQL and MySQL
Feature
MS SQL
MySQL
Licensing
Proprietary
Open Source
Supported Platforms
Windows
Windows, Linux, macOS
Stored Procedures
Advanced support
Basic support
Cost
Paid (enterprise edition)
Free & Paid (Enterprise)
Why Convert MS SQL to MySQL?
Here are some of the major reasons
Cost Savings: Avoid licensing fees.
Cross-Platform Flexibility: MySQL works well on multiple OS.
Performance for Web Apps: MySQL is optimized for read-heavy
applications.
Common Methods to Convert MS SQL to MySQL
Manual Export/Import Method
The straight forward method to export a MS SQL Table to MySQL is to dump
the table data as CSV file and then create the table structure manually in
MySQL by adjusting the datatypes and then import the data from CSV file.
This method - although looks simple, is not suitable if you have to transfer
multiple tables.
Using Migration & Automated Conversion Tools
There are several tools both free and paid available which will do the
migration automatically without you writing any code. In fact, there are
some tools which do the job in just three clicks.
In this article we will discuss the most popular tool
available in the market for almost two decades
Data Loaderis a powerful
tool to Convert, Migrate data from
MSSQL to MySQL
or from MySQL to MS SQL Server Databases.
It
can convert hundreds / thousands of tables in one go. While converting you can map source
table columns to matching destination table columns. Filter rows by
specifying WHERE conditions. Besides tables, it can also convert
Views
Apart from conversion it can also Synchronize data
between MS SQL and MySQL using it's own scheduler. It can Update, Insert or
delete rows from target tables to match the source tables.
It converts Schemas, Data, Constraints, indexes,
Auto Increment and Default Values in just 3 Steps without writing a single
line of code.
It automatically chooses the most appropriate Datatypes and widths and also
let users to choose their own types
Supports UPSERT loading option. Using this option you
can synchronize the data from source to target tables. It will update the
row if a matching row exists in the target table else it will insert the row
if it doesn't exist
Supports INSERT loading option. With this option Data
Loader will insert the row into the target table only if the row doesn't
exist in the target table.
Comes with a built in scheduler so that you
can run Conversion jobs at specified intervals. No need to run jobs
repeatedly, just create a Session define the Schedule Date and Time and
Data Loader will automatically executes your session in the
background and records the actions in a specified log file. You can later on
check the log file for information.
It also provides a command line interface to run migration jobs manually so that it can be easily integrated with your own application.
All the sessions are stored in a repository. MSSQL to MySQL Converter
provides a user friendly interface to manage repository. Such as taking
backup and/or restore repository from a previous backup. You can also create
a new blank repository in case you need it.
Besides loading through Conventional method it also
support BULK LOAD method. This method greatly improves the
performance and one can load millions of rows in very less time
The Most Popular Database Conversion Tool available on the internet.
Compare the following features which you will not find in any other tool
Load data into any existing
target table with full Column Mapping
UPSERT and INSERT
feature to synchronize source and target tables.
More
Creates SQL dump files / CSV Files from any
Source Databases
Support Command Line interface
to execute sessions from command line or other applications
Supports repository to easily manage all saved
sessions
Comes with its own scheduler or
you can use Windows Task Scheduler to execute repeated
migration jobs
Support Bulk Inserts and Bulk Load
feature to load millions of rows at blazing speed
Using Data Loader you can perform the following conversion
MSSQL to MySQL Database
MSSQL to MySQL SQL Dump file
MySQL to MSSQL Database
MySQL to MS SQL Server SQL Dump file
MSSQL to MSSQL Database
MSSQL to MS SQL Server
SQL Dump file
MySQL to MySQL Database
MySQL to MySQL SQL Dump
file
Convert MS SQL Server Views to MySQL Views or MySQL Views to MSSQL
Examples
MS SQL View
CREATE VIEW "Alphabetical list of products" AS
SELECT Products.*, Categories.CategoryName
FROM Categories INNER JOIN Products ON Categories.CategoryID = Products.CategoryID
WHERE (((Products.Discontinued)=0))
automatically converts to MySQL
CREATE OR REPLACE VIEW `Alphabetical list of products` AS
SELECT Products.*, Categories.CategoryName
FROM Categories INNER JOIN Products ON Categories.CategoryID = Products.CategoryID
WHERE (((Products.Discontinued)=0))
MSSQL View
CREATE VIEW Invoices AS
SELECT Orders.ShipName, Orders.ShipAddress, Orders.ShipCity, Orders.ShipRegion, Orders.ShipPostalCode,
Orders.ShipCountry, Orders.CustomerID, Customers.CompanyName AS CustomerName, Customers.Address, Customers.City,
Customers.Region, Customers.PostalCode, Customers.Country,
(FirstName + ' ' + LastName) AS Salesperson,
Orders.OrderID, Orders.OrderDate, Orders.RequiredDate, Orders.ShippedDate, Shippers.CompanyName As ShipperName,
"Order Details".ProductID, Products.ProductName, "Order Details".UnitPrice, "Order Details".Quantity,
"Order Details".Discount,
(CONVERT(money,("Order Details".UnitPrice*Quantity*(1-Discount)/100))*100) AS ExtendedPrice, Orders.Freight
FROM Shippers INNER JOIN
(Products INNER JOIN
(
(Employees INNER JOIN
(Customers INNER JOIN Orders ON Customers.CustomerID = Orders.CustomerID)
ON Employees.EmployeeID = Orders.EmployeeID)
INNER JOIN "Order Details" ON Orders.OrderID = "Order Details".OrderID)
ON Products.ProductID = "Order Details".ProductID)
ON Shippers.ShipperID = Orders.ShipVia
automatically converts to MySQL
CREATE OR REPLACE VIEW Invoices AS
SELECT Orders.ShipName, Orders.ShipAddress, Orders.ShipCity, Orders.ShipRegion, Orders.ShipPostalCode,
Orders.ShipCountry, Orders.CustomerID, Customers.CompanyName AS CustomerName, Customers.Address, Customers.City,
Customers.Region, Customers.PostalCode, Customers.Country,
CONCAT(FirstName , ' ' , LastName) AS Salesperson,
Orders.OrderID, Orders.OrderDate, Orders.RequiredDate, Orders.ShippedDate, Shippers.CompanyName As ShipperName,
`Order Details`.ProductID, Products.ProductName, `Order Details`.UnitPrice, `Order Details`.Quantity,
`Order Details`.Discount,
(CAST((`Order Details`.UnitPrice*Quantity*(1-Discount)/100) AS Decimal)*100) AS ExtendedPrice, Orders.Freight
FROM Shippers INNER JOIN
(Products INNER JOIN
(
(Employees INNER JOIN
(Customers INNER JOIN Orders ON Customers.CustomerID = Orders.CustomerID)
ON Employees.EmployeeID = Orders.EmployeeID)
INNER JOIN `Order Details` ON Orders.OrderID = `Order Details`.OrderID)
ON Products.ProductID = `Order Details`.ProductID)
ON Shippers.ShipperID = Orders.ShipVia
Features
Uses Bulk Loading to load tables with million of rows at
blazing speeds
Can load Data into Existing tables also.
Supports UPSERT and INSERT loading options.
Imports Constraints and Indexes
Wizard based
Map Source Columns to Target Table columns
Save and Schedule of Sessions for recurring
data transfers.
Supports all versions of MS SQL Server and MySQL
No need to install any ODBC Driver
No need to write any code
Select single or multiple tables to transfer
Select or Deselect Columns while
transferring
Change Destination Datatypes and widths
Automatic Checking of Datatype mismatch
Specify WHERE conditions to filter data
Economical costs just $99 For Standard
Version
Fully functional Trial version with 50
rows limit is available for testing
Transfer Millions of rows easily and fast.
Supports VARBINARY, LONGBLOB, Picture Data types.
Supported O/s: Win 10, Win 8.1, Win 7, Vista, Windows Server 2013, 2012, 2008, 2003,
2000, XP, Win ME
