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MySQL Reference Manual
book

MySQL Reference Manual

by Michael Widenius, David Axmark, Kaj Arno
June 2002
Intermediate to advanced
816 pages
20h 46m
English
O'Reilly Media, Inc.
Content preview from MySQL Reference Manual

What Is MySQL?

MySQL, the most popular open source SQL database, is developed and provided by MySQL AB. MySQL AB is a commercial company that builds its business providing services around the MySQL database. See Section 1.3.

The MySQL web site (http://www.mysql.com/) provides the latest information about MySQL software and MySQL AB.

MySQL is a database management system.

A database is a structured collection of data. It may be anything from a simple shopping list to a picture gallery or the vast amounts of information in a corporate network. To add, access, and process data stored in a computer database, you need a database management system such as MySQL Server. Since computers are very good at handling large amounts of data, database management plays a central role in computing, as stand-alone utilities, or as parts of other applications.

MySQL is a relational database management system.

A relational database stores data in separate tables rather than putting all the data in one big storeroom. This adds speed and flexibility. The tables are linked by defined relations making it possible to combine data from several tables on request. The SQL part of "MySQL" stands for "Structured Query Language“—the most common standardised language used to access databases.

MySQL software is open source.

open source means that it is possible for anyone to use and modify. Anybody can download the MySQL software from the Internet and use it without paying anything. Anybody so inclined can study the ...

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Publisher Resources

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