PHP & MySQL® Web Development All-in-One Desk Reference for Dummies®

3.2. Obtaining MySQL

MySQL open source software is available in two editions:

• Community Server: A freely downloadable, open source edition of MySQL. Anyone who can meet the requirements of the GPL (GNU Public License) can use the software for free. If you're using MySQL as a database on a Web site (the subject of this book), you can use MySQL for free, even if you're making money with your Web site.

• Enterprise Server: An enterprise-grade set of software and services available for a monthly subscription fee.

MySQL is available with a commercial license for those who prefer it. If a developer wants to use MySQL as part of a new software product and wants to sell the new product, rather than release it for free under the GPL, the developer needs to purchase a commercial license.

As of this writing, MySQL offers versions 5.0, 5.1, and 5.2. Version 5.1 is a beta release, and version 5.2 is a new alpha, neither of which are stable. Versions 5.1 and 5.2 should be used only for trying things out, not for production. The current stable version is 5.0, which is the version most people should install.

3.2.1. Downloading from the MySQL Web site

You can obtain MySQL from the official MySQL Web site at www.mysql.com. MySQL is available in binary files — machine files that are already compiled for specific operating systems. If a binary file is available for your operating system, you should ...