I've always used MySQL with phpBB. I love MySQL. It's the database type I learned first, it's fast, the one I know better, and the one available on every server.
I think this also applies to ¿90%? of phpBB forums out there.
But lately I've been wondering if there would be a real advantage in learning and using another database type with phpBB, so I decided to ask here.
For example: Would I increase forum performance by using SQLite? Would searches be more accurate with a different database engine?
I googled a little bit, but didn't find any phpbb-focused comparison, so any experiences would be helpful.
Until you get a large number of simultaneous users, what is used won't really matter.
MySQL or PostgreSQL are probably the best options.
There is not much to learn by using a different database system, unless you're intending on becoming a DBA. For simple applications like phpBB, the database doesn't really matter and they all function roughly the same.
The database starts really mattering when you are managing many GB or TB of data or need to handle thousands or millions of requests a second.
I've read on many sites recommendations to use MariaDB to be lighter and faster than MySQL.
EN: Do to others what you would want them to do to you.
ES: Haz a los demás todo lo que quieras que te hagan a ti.
PT: Faça aos outros o que você gostaria que fizessem a você.