Today, organizations and businesses are switching their database management systems depending on who offers more. Hence, the demand to migrate SQL Server db to MySQL has rapidly grown over the past few years. Now, what exactly are these features that are making users switch their SQL environments and further demand a seamless migration of the databases? With the help of this write-up, we will take a look at all these aspects and further learn how this migration can be done efficiently.

But before jumping into the technicalities, let’s first understand why it is crucial to migrate he database from SQL Server to MySQL and how it can help users.

Common Situations Demanding to Migrate SQL Server DB to MySQL

To understand the process of migrating SQL Server to MySQL, it is important for us to understand why it is needed. With the clarity on how this migration helps, we can efficiently proceed with finding the best ways for the same. 

• With this migration, the primary benefit users get is cost efficiency. On one hand, where MS SQL Server is a license-based database management environment, MySQL is an open source environment. This allows users to manage their data without costing much. 
• Another benefit users get from this migration is the flexibility of being an open-source platform. With this benefit, developers and database administrators to extend or scale their databases as per their requirements.
• With the migration of SQL Server to the MySQL Database, the cross-platform compatibility of the database is enhanced. SQL Server is primarily Windows-based, but on the other hand, MySQL is effectively compatible with Windows, LINUX, and macOS. 
• Next is the ease of migration with cloud databases. The MySQL database is highly compatible with cloud database environments. MySQL Database supports the migration to cloud servers effectively. 

These are a few of the reasons that benefit the users after the migration. Now, after knowing the reasons, it is also crucial for us to know about the challenges a user might encounter during the process. We will now take a look at these challenges and then proceed to implement the best ways to help with the migration.

Challenges During MSSQL to MySQL Migration

Here are some of these challenges that a user might encounter during the migration process of SQL Server to MySQL. 

• Incompatibility Issues with Datatypes: Both servers use different datatypes; hence, there are higher risks of data incompatibility issues in the databases after migration. 
• Issues While Migrating Large Databases: The difference in the collation settings of MS SQL Server and the MySQL database, can lead to the mismatch of texts or further into case-sensitivity issues. 
• Collation Issues After Migration: In case the size of the databases is too large, it can take much time and result in operational delays and downtime. 

With these challenges, it becomes difficult and risky for users to migrate their databases from SQL Server to MySQL databases. Now, to resolve these issues, we will try a few methods. 

How to Migrate SQL Server DB to MySQL? Best Ways Explained

We will now discuss the ways that will help the users to migrate the database from MS SQL Server to MySQL. We will explain two methods: the manual way and the automated way. Beginning with the manual method, let’s see how it works and how users can execute the process effectively. 

Method 1: Migrating SQL Server to MySQL Manually

This method explains how users and database administrators can migrate the database using scripts. In this way, a user first has to export the SQL Server database as CSV script and then import the script to MySQL for seamless migration. Let’s now take a look at the steps of this method: 

Step 1: Export SQL Server Schema Script of Specified Database

1. Connect the desired database to SQL Server Management Studio.
2. Right-click on the database and go to Tasks. Next, click on the Export Data option. 
3. Choose the output type as Flat File Destination to continue with SQL Server to MySQL migration.
4. Next, choose CSV as the required format and then specify the path to carry out the migration. Choose the tables and views required to be exported. 
5. Click on the Export Button, and once the process is completed, verify the exported CSV file. 

Step 2: Create Schema in MySQL Database

In this step, it is required to create a similar schema in MySQL database for the exported attributes. This will prevent the risks of compatibility issues during migration of the database. Here is the command that will help users to create the schema in the MySQL database. 

CREATE TABLE table_name (
    column1 INT,                                     
    column2 DATE,                                             
    PRIMARY KEY (column2)               
);

Step 3: Import SQL Server Schema Script to MySQL Database

Now, once the data has been exported from the SQL Server database, it is now time to import the data in the MySQL database. To do the same, the command given below will help:

LOAD DATA [LOCAL] INFILE 'file_name' 
INTO TABLE table_name 
FIELDS TERMINATED BY 'string' 
LINES TERMINATED BY 'string' 
IGNORE number {LINES | ROWS};

With the help of this command, users can effectively import the SQL Server schema scripts into the MySQL database and further complete the process to migrate SQL Server db to MySQL. Now that we are done with the migration, the next step is to test the migrated data in the MySQL database. After validation, users can ensure whether the data has been correctly migrated or not. Let’s now take a look at the automated solution and learn how it helps the users. 

Method 2: Migrating SQL Server to MySQL With Professional Solution

We will now take a look at how a professional solution will help with the migration. The solution we are suggesting is using the SQL Server Migration Tool. This utility is efficient for the migration of SQL Server database to Azure database, MySQL Database, and other modes as well.

The users can install this tool and further carry out the entire migration in a seamless way. Let’s take a look at the elaborated steps:

1. Install and run the professional solution. Click on the Open Button to add the MDF file of the specified database. 
2. The tool offers dual modes: Online and Offline. Choose one mode depending on your requirements. 
3. Next, once the files are added, the tool will scan them. After the scan, preview the database objects.
4. After preview, click on the Export button to migrate SQL Server db to MySQL.
5. In the export to/as option, select MySQL Database as the export option. 
6. Next, add the credentials for the destination database. Select the database objects and then choose an export option, ‘with schema only’ or ‘with schema and data’.
7. Click on the export button to complete migrating SQL Server to MySQL.

By following these steps, users can export their data from SQL Server database to MySQL database without compromising the data security or privacy. The tool is not only efficient to migrate the databases, but also helps repair corruption in the database file, if any. 

Conclusion

With the help of this write-up, we have learned the ways to migrate SQL Server db to MySQL. Furthermore, we have not only discussed the techniques, but the reasons, challenges, and a professional solution that will help the users carry out the entire process seamlessly.