MySQL is a database management system.MySQL是一个数据库管理系统。

A database is a structured collection of data. 数据库是数据的结构化集合。It may be anything from a simple shopping list to a picture gallery or the vast amounts of information in a corporate network. 它可以是任何东西，从一个简单的购物清单到一个图片库，或是企业网络中的大量信息。To add, access, and process data stored in a computer database, you need a database management system such as MySQL Server. 要添加、访问和处理存储在计算机数据库中的数据，您需要一个数据库管理系统，如MySQL Server。Since computers are very good at handling large amounts of data, database management systems play a central role in computing, as standalone utilities, or as parts of other applications.由于计算机非常擅长处理大量数据，数据库管理系统在计算中起着核心作用，可以作为独立的实用程序，也可以作为其他应用程序的一部分。

MySQL databases are relational.MySQL数据库是关系型的。

A relational database stores data in separate tables rather than putting all the data in one big storeroom. 关系数据库将数据存储在单独的表中，而不是将所有数据放在一个大的仓库中。The database structures are organized into physical files optimized for speed. 数据库结构被组织成物理文件，并针对速度进行了优化。The logical model, with objects such as databases, tables, views, rows, and columns, offers a flexible programming environment. 逻辑模型包含数据库、表、视图、行和列等对象，提供了灵活的编程环境。You set up rules governing the relationships between different data fields, such as one-to-one, one-to-many, unique, required or optional, and “pointers” between different tables. 您可以设置规则来管理不同数据字段之间的关系，例如一对一、一对多、唯一、必需或可选以及不同表之间的“指针”。The database enforces these rules, so that with a well-designed database, your application never sees inconsistent, duplicate, orphan, out-of-date, or missing data.数据库强制执行这些规则，因此使用设计良好的数据库，应用程序永远不会看到不一致、重复、孤立、过期或丢失的数据。

The SQL part of “MySQL” stands for “Structured Query Language”. “MySQL”的SQL部分代表“结构化查询语言”。SQL is the most common standardized language used to access databases. Depending on your programming environment, you might enter SQL directly (for example, to generate reports), embed SQL statements into code written in another language, or use a language-specific API that hides the SQL syntax.SQL是访问数据库最常用的标准化语言。根据您的编程环境，您可以直接输入SQL（例如，生成报表），将SQL语句嵌入到用另一种语言编写的代码中，或者使用隐藏SQL语法的特定于语言的API。

SQL is defined by the ANSI/ISO SQL Standard. SQL是由ANSI/isosql标准定义的。The SQL standard has been evolving since 1986 and several versions exist. 自1986年以来，SQL标准一直在发展，目前已有几个版本。In this manual, “SQL-92” refers to the standard released in 1992, “SQL:1999” refers to the standard released in 1999, and “SQL:2003” refers to the current version of the standard. 在本手册中，“SQL-92”是指1992年发布的标准，“SQL:1999”是指1999年发布的标准，“SQL:2003”是指本标准的现行版本。We use the phrase “the SQL standard” to mean the current version of the SQL Standard at any time.我们使用短语“SQL标准”来表示任何时候SQL标准的当前版本。

MySQL software is Open Source.MySQL软件是开源的。

Open Source means that it is possible for anyone to use and modify the software. 开源意味着任何人都可以使用和修改软件。Anybody can download the MySQL software from the Internet and use it without paying anything. 任何人都可以从互联网上下载MySQL软件并免费使用。If you wish, you may study the source code and change it to suit your needs. 如果您愿意，您可以研究源代码并对其进行更改以满足您的需要。The MySQL software uses the GPL (GNU General Public License), http://www.fsf.org/licenses/, to define what you may and may not do with the software in different situations. MySQL软件使用GPL（GNU通用公共许可证），http://www.fsf.org/licenses/，以定义在不同情况下可以和不可以对软件执行的操作。If you feel uncomfortable with the GPL or need to embed MySQL code into a commercial application, you can buy a commercially licensed version from us. 如果您对GPL感到不舒服或者需要将MySQL代码嵌入到商业应用程序中，您可以从我们这里购买商业许可版本。See the MySQL Licensing Overview for more information (http://www.mysql.com/company/legal/licensing/).有关更多信息，请参阅MySQL许可概述（http://www.mysql.com/company/legal/licensing/）。

The MySQL Database Server is very fast, reliable, scalable, and easy to use.MySQL数据库服务器非常快速、可靠、可扩展且易于使用。

If that is what you are looking for, you should give it a try. 如果这就是你要找的，你应该试一试。MySQL Server can run comfortably on a desktop or laptop, alongside your other applications, web servers, and so on, requiring little or no attention. MySQL服务器可以舒适地运行在台式机或笔记本电脑上，与其他应用程序、web服务器等一起运行，几乎不需要关注。If you dedicate an entire machine to MySQL, you can adjust the settings to take advantage of all the memory, CPU power, and I/O capacity available. 如果将整台机器专用于MySQL，则可以调整设置以利用所有可用的内存、CPU功率和I/O容量。MySQL can also scale up to clusters of machines, networked together.MySQL还可以扩展到计算机集群，联网在一起。

MySQL Server was originally developed to handle large databases much faster than existing solutions and has been successfully used in highly demanding production environments for several years. MySQL服务器最初是为处理大型数据库而开发的，比现有的解决方案快得多，并且已经成功地在高要求的生产环境中使用了好几年。Although under constant development, MySQL Server today offers a rich and useful set of functions. 尽管MySQL服务器在不断的开发中，但它现在提供了一组丰富而有用的功能。Its connectivity, speed, and security make MySQL Server highly suited for accessing databases on the Internet.它的连接性、速度和安全性使得MySQL服务器非常适合访问Internet上的数据库。

MySQL Server works in client/server or embedded systems.MySQL服务器适用于客户机/服务器或嵌入式系统。

The MySQL Database Software is a client/server system that consists of a multithreaded SQL server that supports different back ends, several different client programs and libraries, administrative tools, and a wide range of application programming interfaces (APIs).MySQL数据库软件是一个客户机/服务器系统，它由支持不同后端的多线程SQL服务器、几个不同的客户机程序和库、管理工具以及各种应用程序编程接口（api)组成。

We also provide MySQL Server as an embedded multithreaded library that you can link into your application to get a smaller, faster, easier-to-manage standalone product.我们还提供MySQL服务器作为嵌入式多线程库，您可以将其链接到您的应用程序中，以获得更小、更快、更易于管理的独立产品。

A large amount of contributed MySQL software is available.提供了大量的MySQL软件。

MySQL Server has a practical set of features developed in close cooperation with our users. MySQL服务器与我们的用户密切合作开发了一套实用的特性。It is very likely that your favorite application or language supports the MySQL Database Server.您最喜欢的应用程序或语言很可能支持MySQL数据库服务器。