MySQL is an open source relational database management system (RDBMS) that uses Structured Query Language (SQL), the most popular language for adding, accessing, and processing data in a database. It is downloadable from mySQL website (http://www.mysql.com) and tailor it to your needs in accordance with the general public license. MySQL is noted mainly for its speed, reliability, and flexibility.
MySQL has a huge range of features but here are some of the best:
- Works on many different platforms
- Support for many data types
- Function names do not clash with table or column names
- You can mix tables from different databases in the same query
- A privilege and password system that is very flexible and secure, and that allows host-based verification
- Full support for several different character sets
- Up to 64 indexes per table are allowed