Chapter 8
MySQL
Now that you’ve explored some basic data management using flat files and then the simple but very quick dbm, you’re ready to move on to a more full-featured data tool: the RDBMS, or Relational Database Management System.
The two best-known Open Source RDBMS applications are probably PostgreSQL and MySQL, although there are many others. There are also many commercial RDBMS products, such as Oracle, Sybase, and DB2, all of which are highly capable and run on multiple platforms. The Windows-only Microsoft SQL Server is another popular choice in the commercial marketplace. All these packages have their particular strengths; but for reasons of space, and a commitment to Open Source software, this book focuses exclusively on MySQL.
MySQL has origins going back to about 1984, but it has been commercially developed and managed under the auspices of MySQL AB for several years now. Because MySQL is Open Source, its terms of use are often confused with those of other Open Source projects. It’s worth pointing out that although MySQL can be used under the GNU General Public License (GPL) in many circumstances, there are circumstances where you must buy a commercial license to use the product. You should check the license requirements on the MySQL website (www.mysql.com) carefully, and determine which edition of MySQL is applicable to your requirements.
If you need an Open Source database and the terms for using MySQL under the GPL are not acceptable, and if you don’t want to ...
