MariaDB数据库软件标志

MariaDB数据库管理系统是MySQL的一个分支，主要由开源社区在维护，采用GPL授权许可 MariaDB的目的是完全兼容MySQL，包括API和命令行，使之能轻松成为MySQL的代替品。在存储引擎方面，使用XtraDB（英语：XtraDB）来代替MySQL的InnoDB。 MariaDB由MySQL的创始人Michael Widenius（英语：Michael Widenius）主导开发，他早前曾以10亿美元的价格，将自己创建的公司MySQL AB卖给了SUN，此后，随着SUN被甲骨文收购，MySQL的所有权也落入Oracle的手中。MariaDB名称来自Michael Widenius的女儿Maria的名字。

MariaDB基于事务的Maria存储引擎，替换了MySQL的MyISAM存储引擎，它使用了Percona的 XtraDB，InnoDB的变体，分支的开发者希望提供访问即将到来的MySQL 5.4 InnoDB性能。这个版本还包括了 PrimeBase XT (PBXT) 和 FederatedX存储引擎。

MariaDB Server is one of the most popular database servers in the world. It’s made by the original developers of MySQL and guaranteed to stay open source. Notable users include Wikipedia, WordPress.com and Google.

MariaDB turns data into structured information in a wide array of applications, ranging from banking to websites. Originally designed as enhanced, drop-in replacement for MySQL, MariaDB is used because it is fast, scalable and robust, with a rich ecosystem of storage engines, plugins and many other tools make it very versatile for a wide variety of use cases.

MariaDB is developed as open source software and as a relational database it provides an SQL interface for accessing data. The latest versions of MariaDB also include GIS and JSON features.