Database Reference
In-Depth Information
Choosing a Distribution
Before beginning todownload an installation package, you must decide which version of
MySQL or MariaDB to install. For MySQL, the best choice is usually the latest stable ver-
sion recommended by Oracle on its site, the version called the generally available (GA) re-
lease. This is the best way to go if you're new to MySQL. There's no need as a beginner to
use a beta version, or a development release. Unless you have a support contract with
Oracle, which would provide you access to the Enterprise version of MySQL, you will
have to use the MySQL Community Server version. For a beginner, it's essentially the
same as the Enterprise version.
For MariaDB, the latest GA release will be the current stable version. You can download it
from the
MariaDB Foundation's download page
.
When installing one of these database systems, you also have the option of using either a
source distribution or a binary distribution. The binary distribution is easier to install and is
recommended. Use a source distribution only if you have special configuration require-
ments that must be set during the installation or at compile time. You may also have to use
a source distribution if a binary distribution isn't available for your operating system.
Otherwise, install the binary; there's no need to make installation difficult when your goal
at this point should be to learn the basics of MySQL.
