What is MySQL?

MySQL database server was born out of an internal company project spearheaded by employees of the Sweden-based TcXDataKonsult firm.

Their project, dubbed MySQL, was first released to the general public at the end of 1996. The software proved so popular that in 2001 they founded a company based entirely around MySQL specific service and product offerings, calling it MySQL AB.  MySQL is a relational database server that inches closer to the SQL-92 standard with each release, meaning you won't encounter too many surprises if you're familiar with another database product.