MySQL is one of the most popular relational databases.
MariaDB is a fork from the original MySQL codebase.
However, MariaDB has gained popularity as an alternative.
Developers will find that the syntax is similar, but MariaDB introduces several notable differences.
MariaDB supports higher data transfer volumes and is supported by most cloud providers.
Its similarity to MySQL, which was the dominant database in the early 2000s, has facilitated its adoption.
The key differences between MariaDB and MySQL form the foundation of MariaDB’s performance.
MariaDB offers several more storage engines and supports over 200,000 connections.
MySQL’s Enterprise edition includes proprietary code, while MariaDB is completely open-source.
These differences contribute to MariaDB’s superior speed.
In recent benchmark testing, MariaDB performs somewhere between 13% to 36% faster than MySQL.
Since MariaDB is a fork from MySQL, the syntax is similar, but MariaDB has several additional features.
Basic SQL syntax remains the same, but MariaDB handles data storage and functions differently.
Each new version of MariaDBincludes added featuresand extensions.
One example of a feature in MariaDB not available in MySQL is the SEQUENCE feature.
It handles billions of records and integrates easily into Linux environments, including affordable web hosting providers.
MySQL is also suitable for personal projects and is free for individual use.
It runs on both Windows and Linux, making it accessible to almost any developer.
Many developers begin learning database programming and storage design with MySQL.
MariaDB is slightly more challenging because it’s designed as an enterprise solution.
It has more engines to work with and is available in the cloud.
Most enterprise applications have many more features than consumer alternatives, making them more difficult to learn.
No one can predict the future, but MySQL is likely here to stay.
It’s possible that MariaDB will become a more popular database for enterprise applications in a LAMP environment.
MySQL offers a convenient desktop system that simplifies database management and configuration.
In a large organization, MariaDB is the better option.
MariaDB scales easily as an app becomes more popular and more users access it.
Knowing both databases is beneficial, and MariaDB might be a better choice at the enterprise level.
