MariaDB

MariaDB is a open-sourcerelational database management system (RDBMS) sharing a common heritage with MySQL, from which it was forked in 2009 by original MySQL developers following Oracle Corporation's acquisition of Sun Microsystems, with the intent to keep it free and open-source software under the GNU General Public License.

MariaDB originated as a drop-in replacement for MySQL; the two databases have diverged since version 5.6 in some features, syntax, and behaviour. Over sixteen years of independent development, MariaDB has evolved into a distinct database with capabilities spanning transactional, analytical, and AI workloads.

The MariaDB Foundation is a non-profit organisation that safeguards the open-source development of MariaDB independently of any commercial entity. MariaDB plc is a commercial entity providing enterprise products, support, and cloud services, owns the MariaDB trademark, and is the largest contributor to MariaDB's codebase.

Michael "Monty" Widenius, one of the founders of MySQL AB and the creator of MySQL and MariaDB, serves as the CTO of both MariaDB Foundation and MariaDB plc.