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MySQL® Crash Course
book

MySQL® Crash Course

by Ben Forta
December 2005
Intermediate to advanced
336 pages
4h 52m
English
Sams
Content preview from MySQL® Crash Course

Chapter 2. Introducing MySQL

In this chapter, you’ll learn what MySQL is, and the tools you can use when working with it.

What Is MySQL?

In the previous chapter you learned about databases and SQL. As explained, it is the database software (DBMS or Database Management System) that actually does all the work of storing, retrieving, managing, and manipulating data. MySQL is a DBMS; that is, it is database software.

MySQL has been around for a long time, and is now installed and in use at millions of installations worldwide. Why do so many organizations and developers use MySQL? Here are some of the reasons:

  • Cost—. MySQL is open-source, and is usually free to use (and even modify) the software without paying for it.

  • Performance—. MySQL is fast (make that ...

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