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Open Source Technologies

Notes The flagship My SQL offering is My SQL Enterprise, a comprehensive set of production-tested
software, proactive monitoring tools, and premium support services available in an affordable
annual subscription.

My SQL is a key part of LAMP (Linux, Apache, My SQL, PHP/Perl/Python), the fast-growing open
source enterprise software stack. More and more companies are using LAMP as an alternative to
expensive proprietary software stacks because of its lower cost and freedom from platform lock-in.

1.1 Current and Future Versions of My SQL

The installation instructions in this unit is refer to My SQL 4.0.21, which is the current production
version of the software. This version number can be read as minor release number 21 of the major
version 4.0 software. My SQL AB, the company responsible for creating and distributing My SQL,
uses minor release numbers for updates containing security enhancements or bug fixes. Minor
releases do not follow a set release schedule; when enhancements or fixes are added to the code
and thoroughly tested, My SQL AB releases a new version, with a new minor version number.
It is possible that by the time you purchase this book, the minor version number will have
changed, to 4.0.21 or beyond. If that is the case, you should read the list of changes at
http://www.My SQL.com/doc/en/News-4.0.x.html for any changes regarding the installation
or configuration process, which makes up the bulk of this unit.
Although it is unlikely that any installation instructions will change between minor version
updates, you should get in the habit of always checking the changelog of software that you
install and maintain. If a minor version change does occur during the time you are reading
this book, but no installation changes are noted in the change log, simply make a mental note
and substitute the new version number wherever it appears in the installation instructions and
accompanying figures.
1.1.1 How to Get My SQL
My SQL AB, the Company that develops and maintains the My SQL database server, distributes
My SQL on its Web site: http://www.My SQL.com/. Binary distributions for all platforms,
installer packages for Mac OS X, and RPMs and source code files for Linux/Unix platforms can
be found at the Web site. Additionally, you can purchase boxed versions of the software that
is, software in a box and with a printed version of the comprehensive My SQL manualfrom the
My SQL AB online store, for a very reasonable price.
Linux distribution CDs usually contain some version or another of the open
source My SQL software, although these are usually several minor versions
that are out of date.

1.2 Installing My SQL

1.2.1 Installing My SQL on Linux/Unix
The process of installing My SQL on Linux/Unix is straight forward, whether you use RPMs or
install the binaries. For a minimal installation from RPMs, you will need two files:
My SQL-server-VERSION.i386.rpm The My SQL server

My SQL-client-VERSION.i386.rpm The standard My SQL client libraries
To perform a minimal installation from RPMs, type the following at your prompt:
#> rpm -i My SQL-server-VERSION.i386.rpm My SQL-client-VERSION.i386.rpm

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