Embedding a MySQL Server in C/C++ or Java applications

Last week at CeBit I once again had a conversation with an application developer that was not aware that it's possible to embed the MySQL Server inside an application instead of running it as a separate process. I experienced something similar at FOSDEM recently, while talking with the Amarok developers - how come that this feature is so little known? In fact, there are two possibilities for embedding MySQL (and both of them are licensed under the GPL): the first one is using the libmysqld embedded library, which is suitable if you are developing C/C++ applications:

The embedded MySQL server library makes it possible to run a full-featured MySQL server inside a client application. The main benefits are increased speed and more simple management for embedded applications.

The embedded server library is based on the client/server version of MySQL, which is written in C/C++. Consequently, the embedded server also is written in C/C++.

The API is identical for the embedded MySQL version and the client/server version.

Especially consider the last sentence - it's actually fairly easy to create an application that supports connecting to both an embedded or a standalone server instance! Here are some related links to get you going:

• libmysqld, the Embedded MySQL Server Library
• MySQL C API functions
• Embedding the MySQL Server Library in a C Program by Russell Dyer
• Embedded MySQL Discussion Forum

If you're a Java developer, you should consider taking a look at our Connector/MXJ product - this allows you to embed a MySQL server in your Java application:

MySQL Connector/MXJ is a Java Utility package for deploying and managing a MySQL database. Deploying and using MySQL can be as easy as adding an additional parameter to the JDBC connection url, which will result in the database being started when the first connection is made. This makes it easy for Java developers to deploy applications which require a database by reducing installation barriers for their end-users.

MySQL Connector/MXJ makes the MySQL database appear to be a java-based component. It does this by determining what platform the system is running on, selecting the appropriate binary, and launching the executable. It will also optionally deploy an initial database, with any specified parameters.

Included are instructions for use with a JDBC driver and deploying as a JMX MBean to JBoss.

Some related links to further information/help:

• MySQL Connector/MXJ documentation
• MySQL Connector/MXJ Downloads
• JDBC and Java discussion forum
• MySQL and Java Mailing list

Does your application make use of an embedded MySQL Server already? Please let me know! I'd love to learn more about the use cases and experiences you have made.