MariaDB Crash Course - Ben Forta [8]
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Client-Server Software
DBMSs fall into two categories: shared file based and client-server. The former (which include products such as Microsoft Access and File Maker) are designed for desktop use and are generally not intended for use on higher-end or more critical applications (including Web sites and Web-based applications).
Databases such as MariaDB, MySQL, Oracle, and Microsoft SQL Server are client-server based databases. Client-server applications are split into two distinct parts. The server portion is a piece of software responsible for all data access and manipulation. This software runs on a computer called the database server.
Only the server software interacts with the data files. All requests for data, data additions and deletions, and data updates are funneled through the server software. These requests or changes come from computers running client software. The client is the piece of software with which the user interacts. If you request an alphabetical list of products, for example, the client software submits that request over the network to the server software. The server software processes the request; filters, discards, and sorts data as necessary; and sends the results back to your client software.
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Note: How Many Computers?
The client and server software may be installed on two computers or on one computer. Regardless, the client software communicates with the server software for all database interaction, be it on the same machine or not.
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All this action occurs transparently to you, the user. The fact that data is stored elsewhere or that a database server is even performing all this processing for you is hidden. You never need to access the data files directly. In fact, most networks are set up so that users have no access to the data, or even the drives on which it is stored.
Why is this significant? Because to work with MariaDB you need access to both a computer running the MariaDB server software and client software with which to issue commands to MariaDB.
• The server software is the MariaDB DBMS. You can run a locally installed copy, or you can connect to a copy running on a remote server to which you have access.
• The client can be MariaDB-provided tools, MySQL tools, scripting languages (such as Perl), Web application development languages (such as ASP, ColdFusion, JSP, and PHP), programming languages (such as C, C++, and Java), and more.
MySQL Compatibility
MariaDB was designed to be a drop-in replacement for MySQL. And while MariaDB is already evolving to include features and innovation not in the core MySQL DBMS, the MariaDB team has been careful to maintain true backwards compatibility.
For all intents and purposes, MariaDB is MySQL with new functionality added. In fact, MariaDB’s MySQL legacy is readily apparent in everything from tooling (the command line client is still named mysql), to documentation, and more.
What does this mean in practice? Simply, it means that MySQL knowledge and know-how translates easily to MariaDB. It also means that any tools and clients designed for use with MySQL will work with MariaDB as well.
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Tip: MySQL 5
MariaDB is based on the MySQL 5 codebase. If you are using tools or languages that do not list MariaDB as an option, you should be able to select MySQL 5 and everything should just work.
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Note: Converting From MySQL To MariaDB
MariaDB can read all MySQL data formats and use the MySQL protocol to communicate with the server. If you are planning on upgrading from MySQL to MariaDB, you don’t have to convert your data or change the tools you use.
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MariaDB Tools
As just explained, MariaDB is a client-server DBMS, and so to use MariaDB you need a client, an application that you