MySQL and The Open Source Revolution

Abstract

Open source systems are rapidly changing the software landscape. Information technology professionals everywhere are taking note of the high quality, and in many cases world-class, development and support offered by open-sourcesoftware vendors. Corporations are paying attention, because for the first time they have an alternative to commercial proprietary software vendors. Small businesses are paying attention because open source software can significantly lower the cost of their information systems. Individuals are paying attention because they have more choices with more options than ever before. The majority of the underpinnings that make the Internet what it is today are based on open source software systems, such as Linux, Apache HTTP server, BIND, Sendmail, OpenSSL, MySQL, and many others.