It is said that the most advanced technologies are invisible to the user. This is certainly true in the case of database management systems. Databases are one of the most important invisible technologies that make things happen. They are everywhere around us and we use them several times a day; though we can't see them. For example, we use them when we make a phone call, or reserve a hotel room, or visit a website, or use some electronic device. Sometimes, these databases are big and complex. And, in many cases, they are managed by MySQL or one of its forks such as MariaDB.
MySQL is mainly known for being one of the four components of the LAMP stack, that is, Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP—the most common technologies that make websites work. And that's the reason why many people, who aren't even associated with Information Technology, have heard about MySQL. In fact, MySQL development started in the 80s but the software became famous only with the birth of dynamic websites between 2000 and 2001. It is open source, free, and very simple to learn and administrate. It was exactly what the new websites needed.
Despite its substantial simplicity, MySQL's features have grown fast. It was criticized by PostgreSQL supporters because it did not support many key features of DBMSs, such as transactions and foreign keys. In spite of this being true at that time, MySQL had several unique features, which were extremely useful for a large amount of users. For example, it supported replication 10 years before PostgreSQL! It was also reliable and fast. And as time went by, MySQL became a complete, feature-rich relational DBMS.
Description:
It is said that the most advanced technologies are invisible to the user. This is certainly true in the case of database management systems. Databases are one of the most important invisible technologies that make things happen. They are everywhere around us and we use them several times a day; though we can't see them. For example, we use them when we make a phone call, or reserve a hotel room, or visit a website, or use some electronic device. Sometimes, these databases are big and complex. And, in many cases, they are managed by MySQL or one of its forks such as MariaDB.
MySQL is mainly known for being one of the four components of the LAMP stack, that is, Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP—the most common technologies that make websites work. And that's the reason why many people, who aren't even associated with Information Technology, have heard about MySQL. In fact, MySQL development started in the 80s but the software became famous only with the birth of dynamic websites between 2000 and 2001. It is open source, free, and very simple to learn and administrate. It was exactly what the new websites needed.
Despite its substantial simplicity, MySQL's features have grown fast. It was criticized by PostgreSQL supporters because it did not support many key features of DBMSs, such as transactions and foreign keys. In spite of this being true at that time, MySQL had several unique features, which were extremely useful for a large amount of users. For example, it supported replication 10 years before PostgreSQL! It was also reliable and fast. And as time went by, MySQL became a complete, feature-rich relational DBMS.