MySQL 5.1 was released by Sun Microsystems in April, but I
decided to test it out this month. I downloaded the Windows version of this
open source database management app and gave it a spin.
The setup script added the MySQL server component with
minimal interaction on my part. A wizard helped me perform the initial
configuration and define a root password. After that, MySQL was fully
functional and I was able to get to work right away.
I tested MySQL with a GUI frontend. Database operations were
very fast during my test run, even with my larger databases. I did not
encounter any bugs or problems during the tests.
I was extremely impressed with how easy it was to deploy
MySQL 5.1 on a Windows system. In contrast, installation on other platforms
(such as Linux) has typically been much more difficult.
MySQL 5.1 includes extensive documentation, with a SQL
language reference in addition to MySQL troubleshooting tips. The language
reference is an exceptional addition to the package, since many software
manuals only teach the user how to operate the software itself.
By default, MySQL 5.1 uses a command line environment for
running SQL statements. SQL code must by typed directly into the terminal by
the user. When SELECT and SHOW queries are executed on the command line, the
data are presented in a nice tabular format. However, distortion can occur if
your terminal window is not wide enough. It can cause the text to wrap to the
next line.
Expert users may prefer the command line. Other users may
wish to install a front-end, such as phpMyAdmin or HeidiSQL, which can make
working with databases and tables easier. MySQL has powerful server-side and
clustering functionality. However, it is also very useful on the client side
for smaller applications, especially when combined with a GUI front-end.
MySQL 5.1 is definitely worth a try, with its many new
features listed here. The database app works with Windows x64, Mac OS X and
various forms of Linux and UNIX OSes. You can download Version 5.1 at this link
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