MySQL is an open-source relational database management system. Created by Michael Widenius and David Axmark, it became the database of choice for web applications and a key component of the LAMP stack.
Origins
Widenius and Axmark founded MySQL AB in Sweden in 1995. They wanted to create a fast, reliable database that was free for most users. MySQL was named after Widenius’s daughter, My.
Design Philosophy
MySQL prioritized:
- Speed: Fast reads for web workloads
- Simplicity: Easy to install and use
- Reliability: Stable for production use
- Open source: Free for most users
Web Dominance
MySQL became essential to web development:
- LAMP stack: Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP
- WordPress: World’s most popular CMS uses MySQL
- Early Facebook, Twitter, YouTube: All used MySQL
Acquisitions
MySQL’s corporate history reflects database market consolidation:
- Sun Microsystems acquired MySQL AB (2008)
- Oracle acquired Sun (2010)
- MariaDB forked to preserve open development
Impact
MySQL democratized database access. Where enterprise databases cost thousands, MySQL was free. This enabled a generation of web applications and startups that couldn’t afford commercial databases.