MySQL database management system
Terminology
A common mistake many security/development professionals make is the incorrect use of the term "database" (DB) instead of the term "database management system" (DBMS). Let's see what's what.
Database - a set of independent materials presented in an objective form, systematized in such a way that these materials can be found and processed using an electronic computer.
A database management system (DBMS) is a set of software and linguistic tools for general or special purposes that manage the creation and use of databases.
That is, simplified, “database” is the data itself, presented as a set of files on disks, with which the “database management system” (DBMS) just works - a software product that has tools for creating, filling, modifying and searching by databases.
DBMS based on MySQL
One of the most popular DBMS today is MySQL, distributed freely (with some restrictions). This back-end system is able to function effectively in conjunction with Internet sites and web applications . At the same time, it is easy to learn, which only increases its popularity, especially among amateur IT people.
It is noteworthy that the result of the huge popularity of MySQL was the appearance on the Internet of many guides to mastering the system, as well as a huge number of all kinds of plug-ins and extensions that simplify working with this system. This, in turn, only made the system even more popular.
Although it lacks some of the functionality found in other DBMSs, MySQL has a fairly wide variety of tools available for building applications.
Benefits of MySQL
In addition to the versatility and prevalence of the MySQL DBMS, it has a whole range of important advantages over other systems. In particular, it should be noted such qualities as:
- Easy to use. MySQL is quite easy to install, and the presence of many plugins and auxiliary applications makes it easy to work with databases.
- Extensive functionality. The MySQL system has almost all the necessary tools that may be needed in the implementation of almost any project.
- Security. The system is designed from the ground up so that many built-in security features are enabled by default.
- Scalability. Being a very versatile DBMS, MySQL can be equally easily used to work with both small and large amounts of data.
- Speed. The high performance of the system is ensured by simplifying some of the standards used in it.
Disadvantages of MySQL
Like any software product, the MySQL system has certain limitations in its functionality, which does not allow using it to work with applications that have some specific requirements. The disadvantages of this DBMS include:
- Insufficient reliability. In terms of the reliability of some data processes (eg, communication, transactions, auditing), MySQL is inferior to some other DBMS.
- Low development speed. Like many other open source software products, MySQL lacks some technical sophistication, which sometimes affects the efficiency of development processes .
