Oracle 5.0 Reference Manual page 25

A relational database stores data in separate tables rather than putting all the data in one big
storeroom. The database structures are organized into physical files optimized for speed. The
logical model, with objects such as databases, tables, views, rows, and columns, offers a flexible
programming environment. You set up rules governing the relationships between different data
fields, such as one-to-one, one-to-many, unique, required or optional, and "pointers" between
different tables. The database enforces these rules, so that with a well-designed database, your
application never sees inconsistent, duplicate, orphan, out-of-date, or missing data.
The SQL part of "MySQL" stands for "Structured Query Language". SQL is the most common
standardized language used to access databases. Depending on your programming environment,
you might enter SQL directly (for example, to generate reports), embed SQL statements into code
written in another language, or use a language-specific API that hides the SQL syntax.
SQL 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:1999" refers to the standard released in 1999, and "SQL:2003" refers to the current version
of the standard. We use the phrase "the SQL standard" to mean the current version of the SQL
Standard at any time.
• MySQL software is 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 the MySQL Licensing Overview for more information (http://www.mysql.com/company/legal/
licensing/).
• The MySQL Database Server is very fast, reliable, scalable, and easy to use.
If that is what you are looking for, you should give it a try. MySQL Server can run comfortably on a
desktop or laptop, alongside your other applications, web servers, and so on, requiring little or no
attention. If you dedicate an entire machine to MySQL, you can adjust the settings to take advantage
of all the memory, CPU power, and I/O capacity available. MySQL can also scale up to clusters of
machines, networked together.
You can find a performance comparison of MySQL Server with other database managers on our
benchmark page. See
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. Although 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.
• MySQL Server works in client/server or embedded systems.
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 an embedded multi-threaded library that you can link into your
application to get a smaller, faster, easier-to-manage standalone product.
• A large amount of contributed MySQL software is available.
MySQL Server has a practical set of features developed in close cooperation with our users. It is
very likely that your favorite application or language supports the MySQL Database Server.
What is MySQL?
Section 8.1.3, "The MySQL Benchmark
5
Suite".