MySQL Versions: An Overview

MySQL Versions

Understanding Versioning in Software

Versioning is the process of assigning unique names or numbers to different versions of a software program as it evolves. Typically, the first public release of a software is labeled as version 1.0. However, there are no universal rules for versioning; every company follows its own conventions. Version numbers change when new features are introduced, bugs are fixed, or security patches are applied.

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MySQL Versions and Releases

The latest stable version of MySQL as of now is MySQL 8.0. It was first released in April 2018 and is expected to be supported until April 2026. This version includes numerous improvements, new features, bug fixes, and security updates, making it a significant upgrade from the previous versions.

When installing MySQL, you must choose between two release types:

1. Development Release – Contains the newest features but may be unstable. Not recommended for production use.
2. General Availability (GA) Release – Also known as the stable release, this version is tested extensively and is suitable for production environments.

New Features in MySQL 8.0

1. Data Dictionary

• A transactional data dictionary that replaces traditional metadata files, improving consistency and performance.

2. Atomic DDL Statements

• Combines storage engine operations, data dictionary updates, and binary logging into a single atomic transaction.

3. Automatic Upgrade Procedures

• The need for manually running the mysql_upgrade command has been eliminated from MySQL 8.0.16 onward.

4. Enhanced Security & Account Management

• Improved flexibility for DBAs in managing user accounts and security policies.

5. Resource Management

• MySQL now allows resource group creation where you can assign threads to specific groups for optimized performance.

6. Table Encryption Management

• Global control over table encryption settings using default_table_encryption and DEFAULT ENCRYPTION clauses.

7. InnoDB Enhancements

• Improvements in auto-increment counters, tablespace encryption, storage engine, and memcached plugin.

8. Character Set Upgrade

• The default character set changed from latin1 to utf8mb4, which includes better multilingual support.

9. JSON Enhancements

• New functions like JSON_PRETTY(), JSON_MERGE_PATCH(), and JSON_TABLE() have been introduced for better JSON handling.

10. Optimizer Enhancements

• Features like invisible indexes, descending indexes, and functional indexes improve query performance.

11. Window Functions

• New functions like RANK(), LAG(), and NTILE() enhance analytical query capabilities.

Deprecated Features in MySQL 8.0

Some features have been deprecated and will be removed in future releases:

• utf8mb3 character set.
• sha256_password authentication (replaced with caching_sha2_password).
• validate_password plugin.
• SQL_CALC_FOUND_ROWS, FOUND_ROWS() function.
• MYSQL_PWD environment variable for specifying MySQL passwords.

Removed Features in MySQL 8.0

Several features have been completely removed:

• InnoDB_locks_unsafe_for_binlog system variable.
• Certain account management features like GRANT statement for user creation, PASSWORD() function, and old_passwords system variable.
• Query cache commands like FLUSH QUERY CACHE and RESET QUERY CACHE.
• .frm files (rendering sync_frm obsolete).
• mysql_install_db program (replaced by --initialize and --initialize_insecure options).

MySQL Version History

Below is an updated MySQL version history table:

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Conclusion

MySQL has evolved significantly over the years, with each version bringing notable improvements in performance, security, and scalability. If you’re still using older versions, it’s highly recommended to upgrade to MySQL 8.0 to take advantage of its robust features and enhancements. Keep an eye on future releases, as MySQL continues to grow as a leading database management system.

For more updates on MySQL and other technology trends, stay connected with Updategadh!

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