MySQL

Many Internet startups became interested in the original open source version of MySQL as an alternative to the proprietary database systems from Oracle, IBM, and Informix. MySQL is currently available under two different licensing agreements: free of charge, under the GNU General Public License (GPL) open source system or through subscription to MySQL Network for business applications.

MySQL runs on virtually all platforms, including Linux, Unix, and Windows. It is fully multi-threaded using kernel threads, and provides application program interfaces (APIs) for many programming languages, including C, C++, Eiffel, Java, Perl, PHP, Python, and Tcl.

MySQL is used in a wide range of applications, including data warehousing, e-commerce, Web databases, logging applications and distributed applications. It is also increasingly embedded in third-party software and other technologies. According to MySQL AB, their flagship product has over six million active MySQL installations worldwide. Customers include Cisco, Dun & Bradstreet, Google, NASA, Lufthansa, Hyperion, and Suzuki.

Getting started with MySQL

To explore how MySQL is used in the enterprise, here are some additional resources:

Virtual Data Center e-Zine.

All-in-One Guide: Oracle on Linux.

Read more about MySQL: - The mySQL Web site provides more information and downloads. - Linux Plant offers a tutorial on setting up a mySQL-based Web site. - SearchEnterpriseLinux.com expert John H. Terpstra answers the question: Is there an equivalent of ODBC in Linux (for a potential mySQL user)?

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