> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://mariadb.com/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://mariadb.com/docs/server/server-management/install-and-upgrade-mariadb/migrating-to-mariadb/differences-between-mariadb-and-other-dbmss.md).

# Differences Between MariaDB and Other DBMSs

This page lists *general* differences between MariaDB and other DBMSs (database management systems). For *specific* differences (for instance, between MariaDB and PostgreSQL), refer to the respective pages in this section.

## Database vs. Schema

In MariaDB, the terms *schema* and *database* are synonymous and used interchangeable. The `CREATE SCHEMA` statement is a synonym for `CREATE DATABASE`, meaning they create the same object—a container for database objects like tables and views.

MariaDB does not support a distinction between schema and database as seen in other systems like SQL Server or PostgreSQL, where a schema is a logical container within a database. Instead, a database in MariaDB serves as both a namespace and a logical container to separate objects, and it has a default character set and collation that are inherited by its tables.