Understanding MySQL Internals

Chapter 2. Nuts and Bolts of Working with the MySQL Source Code

Much can be learned about MySQL by studying its source. Monty Widenius, the creator of MySQL, once half-jokingly remarked that the source is the ultimate documentation. Indeed, assuming that the hardware and the compiler are functioning properly, the software will do exactly what the source tells it to. However, understanding the source of a complex program such as MySQL can be a challenge. The purpose of this chapter is to give you a head start in your study of the source.

Unix Shell

Although MySQL runs on a number of different platforms, you will find it easier to study the source if you get an account on some Unix-like system, such as Linux, FreeBSD, Mac OS X, or Solaris. If you do not have a preference to start with, I recommend Linux. It could be either a remote server, or running on your desktop. The examples in this chapter assume you are logged in to a Unix command shell, and that your shell is Bourne-compatible to some degree. One way to get such a shell is to execute:

	/bin/sh

right after you log in.

BitKeeper

MySQL developers use BitKeeper (http://www.bitmover.com) for source revision control. A BitKeeper repository containing MySQL source code is publicly available with read-only access. Although MySQL source code can also be obtained by downloading a compressed archive, using BitKeeper offers a number of advantages:

• You get the most recent source version and can stay up to date with all the developments on a daily ...