MySQL

MySQL is a worldwide relational database system and probably the most used application in this category. The software is available as a free open source version and as a commercial version for various operating systems. Numerous web hosting providers offer the possibility to integrate MySQL as part of their packages. Numerous dynamic web presences use the software as a basis.

The history and development of MySQL

MySQL was developed in 1994 by the Swedish company MySQL AB, which was acquired by Sun Microsystems in 2008. Since 2010, these two companies have been part of the Californian Oracle Corporation. The name originated from the first name of the daughter of Michael Wildenius, one of the company founders. Wildenius and Axmark started developing the database system in 1994. Initially it served as a clone for MySQL and was intended to provide databases of the UNIREG software for web applications. In 1995 an internal release took place, in 1997 the application was released under version 3.1. This was to signal that the core of MySQL already had a long history. Right from the start, the software was able to process large amounts of data and was designed for excellent performance. This was partly at the expense of availability and stability. In the beginning, the range of functions was limited, only a few table types and no transactions were possible. In January 2001, version 3.23 came on the market, which enabled transactions and had two table types. Version 4.0 followed in March 2003, 4.1 at the end of 2004 and the release of MySQL 5.0 in October 2005, each with extended functions. Version 5.1 was released in November 2008, followed by MySQL 5.6 in 2012. 5.7 followed in October and the release of version 5.7.17 was mid-December 2016.

MySQL - the basis of many dynamic websites

The relational database system is available both free of charge as an open source version and for different operating systems in a commercial variant. MySQL consists of several administration programs, a database, user interfaces and libraries. In combination with PHP and Apache it forms the basis of many dynamic websites. Worldwide it has been installed on more than 50 million servers. Google, Twitter, Facebook & Co. use its architecture and operate a large number of MySQL servers. The system runs on Windows, Linux, Unix, Mac OSX, i5/Os, Open VMS, and more than 20 other platforms. Many web hosting providers offer MySQL as part of their software packages. An official manual is available, free support is offered in numerous forums and user groups. Oracle offers support licenses of different performance levels for its Enterprise Edition, but for a fee. It is often combined with other software applications or environments for hosting dynamic websites.

The features of MySQL

The database system was written in the programming languages C and C++. It uses kernels which make multi-threading possible. The software can therefore use the advantages of multiple CPUs, if they are available. High processing speed and optimal memory management are guaranteed. At the same time, you can create and manage multiple databases on one MySQL server. Depending on the operating system, the number of tables used varies. The software makes access to records possible, as well as deleting, modifying or adding. Individual databases can be partitioned, so the working speed can be improved. Content management systems can use MySQL as a reliable and powerful database (e.g. WordPress, TYPO3, Drupal or Joomla).

The advantages of MySQL

MySQL stores, manages, displays and changes the data in tables, and also acts as a client-server. This means that the respective database acts as a server. The database system works fast, user-friendly and stable. An advantage is also its multithreaded and multi-user capability, easy authorization management and optimal performance. Furthermore it is very flexible due to its compatibility with more than twenty different platforms.