MySQL
MySQL,
the most popular Open Source SQL database, is provided by MySQL AB.
MySQL AB is a commercial company that builds its business
providing services around the MySQL database.
MySQL is a database management system.
A database is a structured
collection of data. It may be anything from a simple shopping list to a picture
gallery or the vast amounts of information in a corporate network. To add,
access, and process data stored in a computer database, you need a database
management system such as MySQL. Since computers are very good
at handling large amounts of data, database management plays a central role in
computing, as stand-alone utilities, or as parts of other applications.
MySQL is a relational database management
system.
A relational database stores data
in separate tables rather than putting all the data in one big storeroom. This
adds speed and flexibility. The tables are linked by defined relations making
it possible to combine data from several tables on request. The SQL part of MySQL
stands for "Structured Query Language" - the most common standardized
language used to access databases.
MySQL is Open Source Software.
Open Source means that it is
possible for anyone to use and modify. Anybody can download MySQL
from the Internet and use it without paying anything. Anybody so inclined can
study the source code and change it to fit their needs. MySQL
uses the GPL (GNU General Public License) http://www.gnu.org,
to define what you may and may not do with the software in different
situations. If you feel uncomfortable with the GPL or need to embed MySQL
into a commercial application you can buy a commercially licensed version from
us.
Why use MySQL?
MySQL is very
fast, reliable, and easy to use. If that is what you are looking for, you
should give it a try. MySQL also has a very practical set of
features developed in very close cooperation with our users. You can find a
performance comparison of MySQL to some other database managers
on our benchmark page. MySQL was originally developed to
handle very large databases much faster than existing solutions and has been
successfully used in highly demanding production environments for several
years. Though under constant development, MySQL today offers a
rich and very useful set of functions. The connectivity, speed, and security
make MySQL highly suited for accessing databases on the
Internet.
The technical features of MySQL
MySQL is a
client/server system that consists of a multi-threaded SQL server that supports
different backends, several different client programs and libraries,
administrative tools, and several programming interfaces. We also provide MySQL
as a multi-threaded library which you can link into your application to get a
smaller, faster, easier to manage product.
MySQL has a lot of contributed software
available.
It is very likely that you will
find that your favorite application or language already supports MySQL.
The
official way to pronounce MySQL is ``My Ess Que Ell'' (not
MY-SEQUEL). But we try to avoid correcting people who say MY-SEQUEL.
