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MySQL Abs MySQL has proved itself as a light, fast database for nonmission-critical applications. The alpha release of Version 4 (specifically Version 4.0.0), posted for free download at www.mysql. com last month, lets developers kick its tires in preparation for a beta release by years end and a stable release early next year.
There isnt much in 4.0 for IT. The 4.0 release will be of interest mostly to software vendors wanting to embed MySQL into their code. (The server now comes in a library version for linking into existing applications.)
The big database features we were really looking for have been pushed back to Version 4.1 of MySQL. The 4.1 release is expected to have foreign-key support, subqueries and support for stored procedures—all key things MySQL needs to enter the midrange database market.
Version 4.0 does gain support for the SQL union keyword (used to combine results of two queries); the SQL delete command can delete rows from multiple tables simultaneously (for cascading deletes); and the client and server can now encrypt communication between themselves using SSL.
Subsequent releases leading up to the final 4.0 release will add improved replication support and Boolean support in MySQLs text search engine.
An important part of MySQLs appeal is its excellent multiplatform support: It runs on Linux, Windows, and on Solaris, Mac OS X and other Unix operating systems.