What is MySQL?
Oracle-backed Open Source Relational SQL Database Management System is called as MySQL. It is named after co-founder Monty Widenius’s daughter “My”. Structured Query Language (SQL) is used to fetch, alter, insert data into RDBMS. This is platform independent it runs on all the platforms like Linux, Unix, windows, etc. Web applications and online publishing mostly utilize MySQL. A Swedish company called MySQL AB developed MySQL and later it was acquired by Sun Microsystems in 2008 and then by Oracle when it bought Sun in 2010. A license is needed for the commercial usage but for Developers, it is under General Public License. Today MySQL is behind many RDBMS in the world, many big Banks utilize it effectively.
Definition
It implements structured query language (SQL), which can be used for adding, removing, and modifying information in the database. Here we will call MySQL as mSQL. Commands like ADD, DROP, INSERT, UPDATE can be used with mSQL. Few of the Database driven websites that use mSQL uses a web scripting language like PHP so that it can have access to the information from the database. PHP code can be incorporated with mSQL commands to access the database so that it can generate parts or the entire web page from the stored information in the database.
Understanding MySQL
The most popular open-source database in the world is mSQL. It is very powerful and simple to set up and easy to use. Once we have done the setup and ready to use we can connect to it as superuser with the client.
In the shell, we need to give this command to connect with the root(superuser) MySQL -u root –p
We can perform many different operations using mSQL like create, delete a database, insert a record all this is possible using simple commands.
How does it make working so easy?
- mSQL can support multiple storage engines whereas other systems like SQL server supports only one storage engine
- mSQL supports InnoDB and MyISAM storage engines.
- InnoDB is the default storage engine for MySQL as of version 5.5. ACID transactions are supported by the InnoDB.
- MyISAM it was the default storage engine for MySQL prior to version 5.5. It was simple but it lacked support for many transactions.
- mSQL’s performance is high compared to other relational database management systems.
- mSQL works on many platforms, so it is easy to deploy and use. Where MS SQL Server runs only on the windows platform.
Compatibility with other services
mSQL was designed to be compatible with other systems. It supports virtual environments, such as Amazon RDS for mSQL, Amazon RDS for MariaDB and Amazon Aurora for mSQL. Users can transfer their data to a SQL Server database by using database migration tools like AWS Schema Conversion Tool and the AWS Database Migration Service.
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Top Companies That Uses MySQL
mSQL customers by industrial segments are Computer Software and Information Technology and Services. This is used by many companies few of them are F5, iStock, ITALTEL, etc.
What can you do with MySQL?
mSQL is a database, where the data is stored also we can retrieve, use data for our need. We can store data in tables, indexes can be created, we can query the data using SQL. Generally, mSQL is used to store the data from the internet, to achieve this we need to write an application. mSQL is an RDBMS, some of the features of RDBMS are constraints, triggers, stored procedures, and views.
Working with MySQL
Before starting to work on mSQL we need to have a username and password with all the permissions required. GRANT and REVOKE commands are used to grant and revoke rights to MySQL users depending on the privilege the user has to be given. After getting connected we are ready to query a database.
In this, the keywords and functions are case insensitive, but the database name and table name are case sensitive. To execute a query we need to just type it in the mSQL shell end it with a semicolon(;) and enter. The query will be executed and the result will be displayed.
The first step in the database management system is to create a database, to create a database we will execute the following command:
- Create a database test: Now we have created a database, we need to create a table in the database for that we need to use it. So for that, we need to execute
- use test: After this, we are using a test database, now we can create, delete any table in the test database.
Advantages of MySQL
- mSQL is very popular as the most secure and reliable database management system. It is used in many popular web applications such as WordPress, Facebook, etc.
- mSQL assures the uptime of 24*7, it also has a wide range of high availability solutions.
- mSQL can be implemented on many platforms such as Linux, MAC, Windows.
- mSQL is scalable and can handle a huge amount of data.
Why we should use MySQL
We can start working on mSQL very quickly, as it takes a few minutes for the download to installation. Regardless of the platform, we can use mSQL quickly. Features like self-management capabilities like auto restart, space expansion and automatic configuration changes for ease of management are available in mSQL. Data security is very high in mSQL.
MySQL transactions work as a single unit, which means unless all the operational stages are completed successfully it will not be cleared. If any stage fails it will revert to the previous stage. This helps in the hassle-free online money transactions.
Required MySQL skills
Multiple database platforms are available and if we want to be a database engineer then we should have complete knowledge. To be a good database engineer one should have good optimization and debugging skills.
Who is the right audience for learning MySQL Technologies?
Back-end or server-side developer require to learn MySQL Technologies. Some examples of job titles that require knowledge of MySQL are:
- Backend or Database Engineer
- SQL Server Database Administrator
- Senior Web or Application Developer
- MySQL Database Administrator
- PHP Developer
- Lead Software Engineer
- Full Stack Engineer/Developer
How this technology will help you in career growth?
If you want a stable job that pays well, this is one of the best fields to go into for a career. With the growth of the company the rise of a DBA also increases. In this technology, we can have many interesting challenges and there is also scope for development.
Conclusion
Relational databases are managed using MySQL, so we can call it a database management system. MySQL is an open source but we can buy a premium support service from Oracle. MySQL can run on various platforms UNIX, Linux, Windows, etc.
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