Intro to Mysql

MySQL

MySQL is an open source, full-featured relational database management system that was originally developed by MySQL AB and is owned by Oracle Corporation currently. It stores data in the form of tables, which are in turn grouped into a database and uses SQL to access data. Related information can be stored in different tables with the ability of joining data from tables and performing queries across various tables in such a way that minimizes the chance of data duplication. MySQL supports various storage engines, like InnoDB, MyISAM, Federated, Memory, Archive, CSV, Merge and Blackhole.

Data Modelling

Data representation in MySQL is through tables with rows and columns, as shown in figure below. Through Workbench, tables can be created specifying attributes and its data types. Normalization rules helps main data without redundancy in an efficient way.[pic 1]

Querying

Querying in MySQL is done with SQL (Structured Query Language), through which a string can be framed and get it parsed by the database system. This, however also makes MySQL prone to attacks through SQL injection.

Relationships in MySQL

MySQL and relational databases in general use the JOIN operation which makes way for the flexibility of cross tabular operations. This allows users to perform querying across multiple tables and get results from them. Normalization, again helps in establishing these relationships, making sure there is no redundancy.

Atomic Transactions and Schema definition

Another key feature of MySQL is its support for atomic transactions. This refers to the ability to perform multiple operations within a single transaction and then roll back the whole thing as if it was a single operation. Defining tables and columns is mandatory in MySQL, before it can define and store anything.  This process of defining schema helps in allocation of memory and   make sure that every row in a table has same columns, making it replicate a tabular structure.