Section B.5. Desktop Database Management: MySQL

B.5. Desktop Database Management: MySQL

We recommend using MySQL with the Windows desktop as a replacement for Microsoft Access. While MySQL is a fully featured relational database management system (RDBMS), it is fast and lightweight enough to be used on a desktop system. You can use MySQL on the desktop in several different ways:

• On a Windows desktop, you can use Access as a frontend to MySQL using the MyODBC driver. Alternatively, you can install MySQL natively, and use it via GUI tools such as MySQL Query Browser.

• On a Linux desktop, you can easily install, use, and manage MySQL via web-based interfaces such as phpMyAdmin, KDE applications such as Kexi, or other GUI tools such as MySQL Query Browser.

MySQL is a fast, robust, and easy-to-use database. It is supported by MySQL AB, the company that funds MySQL development. It also has a large and active end-user community. MySQL's main features are:

• Broad ANSI SQL syntax support

• Multiple storage engine options, including MyISAM for performance and InnoDB for full transaction support and row-level locking

• Query caching and full text indexing

• Numerous third-party tools to help manage data