MySQL Overview

The World's Most Popular Open Source Database

MySQL, the most popular open source SQL database, is developed and provided by MySQL AB. MySQL AB is a commercial company the builds its business providing services around the MySQL database. The MySQL software delivers a very fast, multi-threaded, multi-user, and robust SQL database server. It is intended for mission-critical, heavy-load production systems as well as for embedding into mass-deployed software. MySQL is a trademark of MySQL AB. Introduction to MySQL The official way to pronounce MySQL is "My Ess Que Ell" (not "my sequal"). The company started out with the intention of using mSQL to connect to their tables using their own fast low-level (ISAM) routines. However, after much testing, they came to the conclusion that mSQL was not fast anough nor flexible enough for their needs. This resulted in a new SQL interface to their database but with almost the same API interface as mSQL. This API was chosen to ease porting of third-party code. The derivation of the name MySQL is not perfectly clear. Their base directory and a large number of thier libraries and tools have had the prefix "my" for well over 10 years. However, Monty Widenius's (MySQL founder and CTO) daughter is also named "My". Which of the two gave its name to MySQL is still a mystery. MySQL Licenses The MySQL software is released under the GNU General Public License (GPL), which is probably the best known open source license. The software is provided "as is" and is without any warranty. The MySQL software has Dual Licensing, which means you can use the MySQL software free of charge under the GPL. You can also purchase commercial MySQL licenses from MySQL AB if you do not wish to be bound by the terms of the GPL. You need to purchase commercial non-GPL MySQL licenses: If you distribute MySQL Software with your non open source software. If you want warranty from MySQL AB for the MySQL software. If you want to support MySQL development. What is MySQL AB? MySQL AB is the company of the MySQL founders and main developers. The company was originally established in Sweden by David Axmark, Allan Larsson, and Michael Monty Widenius. All the developers of MySQL server are employed by the company. They are a virtual organization with people in a dozen countries around the world. They communicate extensively over the Internet every day with each other along with users, supporters, and partners. A common question about the company is: "How can your company make a living from something you give away for free?". Here is how. MySQL AB makes money on support, services, commercial licenses, and royalties. They use these revenues to fund product development and to expand the MySQL business. The company has been profitable since its inception. iDevelopment.info The intention for this site is to provide a forum to exchange both information, ideas and expertise about relational database products from MySQL AB. My goal is to provide a professional environment to share this knowledge and experience. Using the navigation menu to the left, you will find links to many MySQL resources. If you find any errors, broken links or simply want to add something to this site, please feel free to let me know by email and I will correct it as quickly as possible.