MySQL (MySQl 2018) is a relational database system (Codd 1970). In a relational database, data are stored in tables. Each table consists of rows and columns. Data in a table are related to each other. Tables may also be related to other tables. The relational structure makes it possible to run queries on the tables to retrieve information as well as to modify data in the database. The standard query language for relational database systems is SQL (Structured Query Language), including MySQL.
MySQL is an open source database management system. It consists of server and a client. After connecting a client to a server, users may enter SQL commands to the server, allowing them to create databases, delete databases, store, organize, and retrieve data in the database. MySQL has a wide range of applications. In addition to providing standard database system services, MySQL combined with PHP (PHP 2018) have formed the backbone of most Web sites for data management as well as for online commerce. This chapter provides an introduction to MySQL. We shall cover the basics of MySQL. These include how to install/configure MySQL in Linux, how to use MySQL to create and manage simple databases and how to interface with MySQL form both C and PHP programming environments.
Source: Wang K.C. (2018), Systems Programming in Unix/Linux, Springer; 1st ed. 2018 edition.