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MySQL, the most popular Open Source SQL database management
system, is
developed, distributed, and supported by MySQL AB. MySQL AB is a
commercial company, founded by the MySQL developers, that builds its business
by providing services around the MySQL database management system.
See section 1.3 Overview of MySQL AB.
The MySQL web site (http://www.mysql.com/)
provides the latest information about MySQL software and
MySQL AB.
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 Server. Since computers are very good at handling large
amounts of data, database management systems play a central role in computing,
as stand-alone utilities or as parts of other applications.
A relational database stores data in separate tables rather than putting
all the data in one big storeroom. This adds speed and flexibility.
The SQL part of "MySQL" stands for "Structured
Query Language". SQL is the most common standardized language used to
access databases and is defined by the ANSI/ISO SQL Standard.(The SQL
standard has been evolving since 1986 and several versions exist. In this
manual, "SQL-92" refers to the standard released in 1992,
"SQL-99" refers to the standard released in 1999, and
"SQL:2003" refers to the next version of the standard.
We use the term "the SQL standard" to
mean the current version of the SQL Standard at any time.)
Open Source.
Open Source means that it is possible for anyone to use and modify the software.
Anybody can download the MySQL software from the Internet and use it
without paying anything. If you wish, you may study the source code
and change it to suit your needs. The MySQL software uses the
GPL (GNU General Public License),
http://www.fsf.org/licenses/, 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 code into a commercial application, you can buy a
commercially licensed version from us.
See section 1.4.3 MySQL Licenses.
The MySQL Database Server is very fast, reliable, and easy to use.
If that is what you are looking for, you should give it a try.
MySQL Server also has a practical set of features developed in
close cooperation with our users. You can find a performance comparison
of MySQL Server with other database managers on our benchmark page.
See section 7.1.4 The MySQL Benchmark Suite.
MySQL Server was originally developed to handle 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 Server today offers a rich and
useful set of functions. Its connectivity, speed, and security make
MySQL Server highly suited for accessing databases on the Internet.
The MySQL Database Software 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 a wide range of application programming interfaces (APIs).
We also provide MySQL Server as a multi-threaded library which you
can link into your application to get a smaller, faster, easier-to-manage
product.
It is very likely that you will find that your favorite application or
language already supports the MySQL Database Server.
The official way to pronounce MySQL is "My Ess Que Ell" (not
"my sequel"), but we don't mind if you pronounce it as "my sequel"
or in some other localized way.
| 1.2.1 History of MySQL | ||
| 1.2.2 The Main Features of MySQL | ||
| 1.2.3 MySQL Stability | ||
| 1.2.4 How Big MySQL Tables Can Be | ||
| 1.2.5 Year 2000 Compliance |
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