MySQL
Firebird

MySQL to Firebird Converter

Move MySQL, MariaDB, Percona, Amazon RDS, Aurora, Azure Database for MySQL, or Google Cloud SQL data into a Firebird .fdb database or Firebird server with type-mapping review and optional two-way sync.

MySQL → Firebird migration usually means moving a MySQL-compatible server into a Firebird .fdb database or Firebird server for an embedded, desktop, or InterBase-compatible application.

DBConvert connects to MySQL, MariaDB, Percona Server for MySQL, and managed MySQL services and writes to a Firebird .fdb file or Firebird / InterBase server, creating tables, fields, indexes, primary keys, foreign keys, and supported views with per-table type review before the target is built. Generated keys, unsigned numbers, ENUM / SET, JSON columns, and character sets are the parts that need a decision first.

  • DBConvert saves the job as a repeatable session for test loads, and DBSync keeps MySQL and Firebird aligned during a staged cutover.

Which tool: DBConvert or DBSync?

DBConvert for MySQL → Firebird

One-time migration or a repeatable saved session. Use it when Firebird is becoming the target database and you need schema creation, type mapping, row transfer, and test reruns in one desktop workflow.

DBSync for MySQL ↔ Firebird

Staged cutover or recurring sync. Use it when the MySQL system must keep running while Firebird is populated, validated, or read by a legacy application. Review synchronization concepts.

Need more context? Compare DBConvert and DBSync side by side →

How DBConvert handles the MySQL → Firebird differences

DBConvert handles schema, mapping, and data transfer in the wizard. Generated keys, unsigned ranges, MySQL-only column types, charset policy, and procedural SQL still need an explicit review before Firebird becomes the write target.

Source and target setup

DBConvert connects to the MySQL-compatible source, then writes to a Firebird .fdb file or server database. Pick the Firebird version and character set before the first test load, not after application testing begins.

Generated keys

MySQL AUTO_INCREMENT columns map to Firebird identity columns or sequence-backed defaults depending on the target version and policy. Check the post-load next value before inserts resume.

Charset and collation

MySQL utf8mb4 text and connection collations need a Firebird character-set decision. Test accented text, emoji, and case-sensitive lookup columns before the cutover window.

Application SQL cleanup

Backticks, LIMIT, ON DUPLICATE KEY UPDATE, IFNULL, MySQL JSON operators, and MySQL date functions do not run unchanged in Firebird SQL.

Procedural code boundary

DBConvert migrates tables, fields, supported views, indexes, and foreign keys. MySQL routines, triggers, events, grants, and embedded application SQL remain a manual Firebird PSQL rewrite.

Type mapping checkpoints

MySQL Firebird Notes
INT / BIGINT INTEGER / BIGINT Direct for signed ranges.
UNSIGNED integer columns BIGINT or NUMERIC policy Check upper-range values because Firebird integer types are signed.
DECIMAL(p,s) DECIMAL(p,s) / NUMERIC(p,s) Preserve precision and scale.
VARCHAR / TEXT VARCHAR / BLOB SUB_TYPE TEXT Confirm Firebird character set and long-text storage.
BLOB BLOB SUB_TYPE 0 Binary payloads should be sampled after import.
DATETIME / TIMESTAMP TIMESTAMP Review timezone assumptions from the MySQL application layer.
TINYINT(1) BOOLEAN or SMALLINT Choose based on whether the column is truly boolean.
ENUM / SET VARCHAR or lookup table Application validation often belongs outside the raw column.
JSON BLOB SUB_TYPE TEXT or VARCHAR Firebird is not a drop-in replacement for MySQL JSON operators.

MySQL server-side objects - out of scope

DBConvert's migration covers tables (with their fields, types, defaults, and indexes), views, and foreign keys. MySQL stored procedures, functions, triggers, events, and grants stay in the source and are rewritten manually in Firebird PSQL - inventory them separately and rewrite them against the final Firebird schema.

Choosing the MySQL → Firebird migration route

This is a niche direction, so the best route depends on whether the job is a database move, a recurring sync, or a code rewrite.

Route Use it when Main limitation
DBConvert / DBSync You need a GUI workflow, saved sessions, table selection, type mapping review, direct Firebird output, or staged synchronization. MySQL routines, triggers, events, and app SQL remain outside the migration tool.
Other desktop migration tools You want to compare a second wizard-based table-copy workflow for the same niche path. Feature coverage varies; validate Firebird version support and generated-key handling before buying.
Custom ETL or dump scripts The schema is small, the data shape is known, and engineers are comfortable writing Firebird DDL and loaders. You own every edge case: type mapping, charset conversion, load ordering, retries, and validation.
SQL conversion / rewrite project The main risk is MySQL-specific routines, triggers, events, reporting SQL, or application queries. Schema and data movement still need a separate migration or synchronization path.

Firebird target planning checklist

Lock down these choices before the final MySQL export.

Firebird file or server

Decide whether the target is a standalone .fdb file, a Firebird server database, or an InterBase-compatible destination.

Version and identity policy

Confirm Firebird 2.5 / 3 / 4 behavior for generated keys, sequences, identity columns, and trigger-backed inserts.

Text and binary samples

Validate long text, binary files, Unicode text, emoji, and case-sensitive values after the first test load.

Application SQL test cycle

Run real application queries against Firebird early. MySQL SQL syntax is often the real migration workload.

Supported versions and services

MySQL

  • MySQL 5.x, 8.x; MariaDB; Percona Server
  • Amazon RDS / Aurora MySQL, Azure Database for MySQL, Google Cloud SQL

Firebird

  • Firebird 2.x, 3.x, 4.x and InterBase
MySQL

All MySQL Tools

Other directions and pairs
Firebird

All Firebird Tools

Migration & sync options

Reverse Conversion

Firebird to MySQL

DBConvert Studio

30+ databases · cloud · scheduled sync

Need more directions or unattended sync? One tool covers them all.

How to migrate MySQL to Firebird

When launching the DBConvert or DBSync application in GUI mode, it guides you through the steps to start database migration or synchronization:

1

Connect to MySQL source database

Specify the username/password and host/port parameters if your source database requires login credentials.

Connect to MySQL source database from DBConvert

MySQL source

Use the MySQL connection guide for local MySQL or MariaDB, or read from Amazon RDS / Aurora for MySQL, Azure Database for MySQL, or Google Cloud SQL for MySQL.

2

Connect to Firebird destination database

Specify parameters for the destination database similar to the source, defining connection settings and username/password pairs.

Connect to Firebird target database from DBConvert

Firebird target

Write to a Firebird .fdb file or server — Firebird target settings.

Steps 3-6: the same for every database pair

Source and target are connected - steps 1 and 2 above. What follows is identical whichever two databases you picked, so it lives in one place. Each step below opens at its own section.

Open the full guide

All four steps in one page, plus software features, command-line mode, scheduler, and system requirements.

See all features

More guides for MySQL ↔ Firebird