MySQL is the most widely used open-source database management system (software that enables the development and management of databases) that enables the creation of multiple databases that can be accessed by many users simultaneously. MySQL is used for the management of relational databases that are most commonly used for the storage of great amounts of all types of data. Relations are typically presented as tables with columns and rows. For the use of relational databases, indexes could be created that simplify and speed up access to the information. MySQL is deployed by various large and demanding websites including popular sites like Facebook, Wikipedia, Twitter, Flickr and so on. MySQL has a few versions – one free and a couple of paid ones that offer additional functionalities.
MySQL Usage
MySQL is part of the LAMP software package often used for the development of web servers. MySQL databases are used by various CMSs and popular web programs like WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, phpBB, TYPO3 and many other applications built on the LAMP software stack. The wide use of MySQL is also due to the fact that it is user-friendly and very flexible: available for about 30 computing platforms including Linux, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, AIX, Solaris, Symbian, etc.
For the management of MySQL, there are various graphical applications that can be used for simple user-friendly creation and manipulation of databases, most popular of which is phpMyAdmin – also free web-based application offered by most hosts worldwide.