What are MySQL, MariaDB, and PostgreSQL?
My SQL, MariaDB, and PostgreSQL are all popular open-source relational database manage-ment systems (RDBMSs). Each has unique features and benefits that make them suitable for different applications and use cases.
■■ MySQL: MySQL is a widely used open-source RDBMS. It is known for its speed, reli-ability, and ease of use. MySQL is often used in web applications and online publishing and is a central component of the popular LAMP open-source web application software stack (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP/Python/Perl).
■■ MariaDB: MariaDB is a fork of MySQL created by the original developers of MySQL, and it’s intended to remain open-source. MariaDB is designed to be highly compatible with MySQL, meaning that, in most cases, data and code can be switched seamlessly between the two. MariaDB includes more storage engines than MySQL, and it includes several features not found in MySQL.
■■ PostgreSQL: PostgreSQL is a powerful, open-source object-relational database sys-tem. It supports both SQL (relational) and JSON (non-relational) querying. It’s highly extensible and can be customized via functions and stored procedures. PostgreSQL is renowned for its performance, advanced features, and standards compliance.
While all three systems can manage relational data, they each have unique advantages. MySQL is known for its speed and efficiency, MariaDB offers rich features and compatibility with MySQL, and PostgreSQL is known for its standards compliance and versatility. All three are supported by Azure, allowing you to leverage these benefits in a fully managed cloud environment.
Azure Database for MySQL
Azure Database for MySQL is a relational database service in the Microsoft cloud based on MySQL Community Edition (available version 5.6/5.7/8.0). As a fully managed service, it allows developers to focus more on developing applications and less on managing infrastructure.
■■ Fully managed: This service is fully managed by Microsoft. What does that mean for you? It means that common maintenance operations such as patching, backups, and handling failovers are automated. These features help save time and reduce the com-plexity of administrative tasks, freeing you to focus on what matters: developing your applications and improving functionality.
■■ Performance and scalability: Performance is a crucial aspect of any application. With Azure Database for MySQL, you have various options to match your performance requirements. Azure offers a range of compute sizes, so you can select the right amount of compute power you need. It allows you to independently scale compute and storage. This means you can adjust the compute power and storage space to match the demand of your application. This independent scaling is especially helpful as it provides flexibility and helps to manage costs.
56 CHAPTER 2 Identify considerations for relational data on Azure
■■ Security and compliance: Security and compliance are top priorities for any business. Azure Database for MySQL integrates well with Azure’s advanced security and compli-ance services. It supports Azure Active Directory authentication so that identities can be managed in one central location. It also provides encryption at rest and in transit, adding a layer of protection to your data.
In addition, Azure offers a comprehensive set of compliance offerings. Whether you are dealing with general data protection regulations or industry-specific ones, Azure has you covered.
■■ Developer productivity: Azure Database for MySQL integrates seamlessly with popu-lar open-source applications and Azure services. This makes it a natural choice if you are developing apps with Azure App Service, building microservices with Azure Kubernetes Services, or running analytics with Power BI.
■■ Data protection: Data is the heart of your business. To protect it, Azure Database for MySQL offers automatic backups, which are stored in geo-redundant storage. This allows you to restore your database to any point within the backup retention period. Additionally, the service provides the option to increase your retention period and to use long-term backup retention.
■■ Global availability and industry-leading service-level agreements (SLAs): With Azure’s global footprint, you can run your applications closer to your customers. And with industry-leading SLAs, you can have peace of mind knowing your app will run smoothly and reliably.
In the following section, we will delve deeper into the business benefits and use cases of Azure Database for MySQL.
Leave a Reply