In the digital space, everything tends to change with various and better developments coming up each day. Open source isn't any different, with MariaDB turning out to be everyone's darling today. This is an equivalent of MySQL but more of a modern entity.
Over the last couple of years, more developers have flocked to the database mainly due to its capabilities on modern web apps. However, the underlining code does not change, but it's a bit different maintaining a MariaDB website. Thankfully, several books can help you learn this powerful database engine.
What is MariaDB used for?
MariaDB is an open-source relational database management system. This system is more of a replacement for the widely used MySQL. It's much more efficient when used to manage modern sites.
You can also use the system to manage modern web apps. Initially, the system was created as a fork of MySQL in 2009. The database was created by the same developers who created the original database. And it was in response to Oracle Corps acquiring MySQL.
The database can also be used for Ad Hoc Data Requests; this is ideal if you are not locked into analyzing data. Most people tend to analyze data with structured methods alone.
When you run queries through an out of the normal O.S., MariaDB will come in handy. Here it can be more of a future reference as you can't foresee how the data will be used in the future. The requests that people make can change over a period, but you'll overall empower the organization.
Cost-effective cloud-based storage
The last reason that this system is used is that it has cloud-native support that can be used for data storage. This will enable any organization to save on the massive fees charged for data storage
Why did MySQL become MariaDB?
In January of 2008, MySQL was taken over by Sun Microsystems. The deal was worth around $1Billion, which brought about major changes in the system after the deal was completed a month later. The following year, Oracle Corporation took over Sun Microsystems, and that's where the name MariaDB came up.
MySQL was named after Widenius' older daughter My, and MariaDB was named after his younger daughter Maria.
What is MariaDB vs. MySQL
With these systems, there are some major differences that you can note. The systems differ in almost all parameters, with Maria DB, the newer idea, being a better version for anyone looking to use a database. Here are the notable differences:
Storage Engines - with Maria DB, you get up to 12 storage engines. When using MySQL, there are fewer storage options.
Initial Release - as noted, MySQL is the older version released in 1995. MariaDB was released in 2009.
Speed - there's a huge improvement with speed when it comes to Maria DB instead of MySQL.
Server O.S - you can use the systems in various operating systems. You can use FreeBSD, Linux, Solaris, Windows, and macOS with Maria DB. MySQL can be used on FreeBSD, OS X, Solaris, Windows, and Linux.
Dynamic Columns - you only get those with MySQL
Monitoring - SQLyog with Maria DB and MySQL workbench for MySQL
Famous Companies who use the system - with MariaDB, Grooveshark, Nrise, Accenture, and Docplanner.
MySQL is used by Dropbox, Uber technologies, Netflix, and Airbnb.
You can find a lot of SQL related questions and answers on this website devhubby.com for effective learning SQL today.
Is MariaDB free for commercial use?
Several factors come to the fore when it comes to the use of this program in the commercial space. First, the system is distributed under the GPL license. There's another distinction, the Maria DB client libraries are, however, distributed under the LGPL license – 2.1 or a later version.
You can distribute these client libraries for free with any application when you have the LGPL license.
If you use the license commercially, you can use it internally for free. The GPL license you get when you get the system is only affected when you distribute it to other parties. But when you use it in an organization, it's free and not subject to any conditions whatsoever.
Connecting the system to any remote service that runs on it or any other GPL software is also free. There's nothing like internal distribution that can restrict the code's use. It isn't, at any time, required to be a GPLed.
Is MariaDB faster than MySQL?
Some significant differences can be noted between Maria DB and MySQL, and one of them is speeding MySQL. Due to its old style, the system was created in 1995, shows slower speeds. The newer and modern version, MariaDB, shows a huger improvement in speed.
The speed improvement is majorly the reason why several developers moved on from MySQL.
Conclusion
Before dipping your toes into any system, you want to learn as much as you can about the system. These are some of the ideas you may want to learn about MariaDB. And countless books can help you learn and polish your skills with this database.