MySQL Reference Manual :: 1.1 About This Manual

This is the Reference Manual for the MySQL Database System. It documents MySQL up to Version 5.0.7-beta, but is also applicable for older versions of the MySQL software (such as 3.23 or 4.0-production) because functional changes are indicated with reference to a version number.

Because this manual serves as a reference, it does not provide general instruction on SQL or relational database concepts. It also does not teach you how to use your operating system or command-line interpreter.

The MySQL Database Software is under constant development, and the Reference Manual is updated frequently as well. The most recent version of the manual is available online in searchable form at http://dev.mysql.com/doc/. Other formats also are available, including HTML, PDF, and Windows CHM versions.

The primary document is a set of DocBook XML files. The HTML version and other formats are produced automatically using, among other tools, the DocBook XSL stylesheets.

If you have any suggestions concerning additions or corrections to this manual, please send them to the documentation team at <docs@mysql.com>.

This manual was initially written by David Axmark and Michael ``Monty'' Widenius. It is maintained by the MySQL Documentation Team, consisting of Paul DuBois, Stefan Hinz, Mike Hillyer, and Jon Stephens. For the many other contributors, see Appendix B, Credits.

The copyright to this manual is owned by the Swedish company MySQL AB. MySQL® and the MySQL logo are (registered) trademarks of MySQL AB. Other trademarks and registered trademarks referred to in this manual are the property of their respective owners, and are used for identification purposes only.