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Frequently Asked Questions

MYSQL

What is MySQL?

MySQL is a relational database system that is used to store information. MySQL can store many types of data from something as tiny as a single character to as large as complete files or graphics. Although it can be accessed by most programing languages, it is often coupled with PHP because they work together with ease.

Information stored in a MySQL database hosted on a web server can be accessed from anywhere in the world with a computer. This makes it a good way to store information that needs the ability to change over time, but also needs to be accessed over the net. Some examples that can utilize MySQL are a web message board or a customer's shipping status.

What are the Synchronization and Replication capabilities of MySQL?

Synchronization is a required when an organization has:

• Remote systems, which need real-time or periodic updates (e.g. Bank teller machine)
• Mobile users, who typically need occasional updates (e.g. Traveling sales person)

MySQL provides synchronization via its Master-Slave Replication capabilities.Extensive documentation makes it easy to setup and configure MySQL for replication.

What are the Performance and Scalability characteristics of MySQL?

In February 2002, eWeek published the results of their Database Benchmark Test, showing:

• MySQL has the best overall performance and scalability (matching Oracle)
• MySQL excelled in stability, ease of tuning, and connectivity
• MySQL offered the highest throughput (600 web pages/sec to 1000 concurrent users)
• MySQL's performance advantage came from a unique feature - the ability to use different database engines on a table-by-table basis

How Reliable is MySQL?

MySQL has a well-earned and established reputation for reliability and performance among its 6 million user community. MySQL is embedded by leading companies including Cisco, Ericsson, Motorola, NEC, Novell and Symantec.

In December 2003, Reasoning published the results of their Code Quality Inspection Study of MySQL, showing:

• MySQL code quality was 6x better than that of comparable proprietary code
• MySQL benefits from the large communities of programmers who "battle test" the code
• MySQL benefits from users who not only report bugs, but track down their root cause and fix them

Is MySQL easy to Administer?

MySQL has a well-earned and established reputation as an easy-to-administer database. Developers have the flexibility to configure, tune and optimize MySQL. Users typically are unaware of the existence of the database, and do not need a database administrator, since the install takes care of the configuration.

What are the minimum system requirements for MySQL?

• Minimum memory: 1 MB of RAM
• Minimum disk-based server: 4 MB of Hard Disk
• Default disk-based server: 8 MB of Hard Disk
  

What Platforms does MySQL support?MySQL runs on:

Linux (RedHat, SuSE, Mandrake, Debian); Embedded Linux (MontaVista, LynuxWorks BlueCat); Unix (Solaris, HP-UX, AIX); BSD (Mac OS X, FreeBSD); Windows (Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows XP); RTOS (QNX); Handheld (Windows CE);

What industry standards and 3rd party tools does MySQL support?
MySQL has drivers for: ODBC; JDBC; .NET and C++.

MySQL application can be developed in any popular language, including: C; C++; C#; Java; Delphi; Visual Basic; Perl; Python; PHP.

MySQL applications can be developed using popular Development Tools, including: Microsoft Visual Studio; Borland Delphi and JBuilder; Eclipse; NetBeans.

MySQL databases can be administered using popular Database Tools, including: MySQL Administrator; Quest Software Toad for MySQL; Embarcadero ER/Studio.

MySQL applications can be deployed using popular Deployment Tools, including: InstallShield; WiseInstaller.

How does MySQL reduce TCO?

MySQL reduces the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of database software by: Reducing database licensing costs by over 90%; Cutting systems downtime by 60%; Lowering hardware expenditure by 70%; Reducing administration, engineering and support costs by up to 50%.

What is the pricing model for embedding MySQL?

MySQL is flexible and will work with you to identify intelligent pricing models based on: Buying MySQL licenses at a discount off MySQL list price; Royalties on a percentage of your applications published list price.