Databases & Data Storage
MySQL
Definition
MySQL is an open-source relational database management system (RDBMS). Its name is a combination of "My", the name of co-founder Michael Widenius's daughter, and "SQL", the acronym for Structured Query Language.
Why It Matters
MySQL is one of the most popular and widely used open-source databases in the world. It is a core component of the LAMP stack (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP/Python/Perl) that has powered a huge portion of the web for decades.
Contextual Example
Many popular applications and websites, including Facebook, YouTube, and WordPress, were built using MySQL.
Common Misunderstandings
- MySQL is now owned by Oracle Corporation.
- MariaDB is a popular, community-driven fork of MySQL created by its original developers.