MySQL

MySQL is an open-source relational database management system (RDBMS), acquired by Oracle in 2010. It is widely used in web applications, cloud services, and enterprises thanks to its performance, scalability, and ease of use.

About MySQL

• Language: Uses SQL (Structured Query Language) for queries.
• Type: Relational (stores data in tables with relations).
• License: Open Source (under the GPL), but with a paid enterprise version.
• Alternatives: PostgreSQL, MariaDB (MySQL fork), Microsoft SQL Server.

Key Features

• High performance: Optimized for fast reads (ideal for the web).
• Scalability: Supports everything from small apps to sites like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube (in its early stages).
• Multiplatform: Runs on Windows, Linux, macOS, and in the cloud (AWS, Google Cloud).
• Security: Supports SSL encryption, authentication, and user roles.
• JSON support: Although it's relational, it allows for storing semi-structured data.

Where is MySQL used?

• Web applications: WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal use it by default.
• E-commerce: Shopify (previously used it), Magento.
• Social media: Facebook used it in its early days (now it has its own fork, MySQL@Facebook).
• Cloud: Integrated with AWS (Amazon RDS), Google Cloud SQL.