MySQL

MySQL is a relational database management system (RDBMS)^[1] that runs as a server providing multi-user access to a number of databases. MySQL is officially pronounced /maɪˌɛskjuːˈɛl/ ("My S-Q-L"),^[2] but is often pronounced /maɪˈsiːkwəl/ ("My Sequel"). It is named for original developer Michael Widenius's daughter My.^[3]

The MySQL development project has made its source code available under the terms of the GNU General Public License, as well as under a variety of proprietary agreements. MySQL is owned and sponsored by a single for-profit firm, the Swedish company MySQL AB, now owned by Sun Microsystems, a subsidiary of Oracle Corporation.^[4]