MariaDB Installation Guide: Features, Setup on Windows/Linux/macOS, and Basic Operations

1. What Is MariaDB?

MariaDB is an open-source relational database management system (RDBMS) that was forked from MySQL. It was originally created by the original developers of MySQL and is designed with a strong focus on data security and performance. One of its major advantages is that it is reliable for both enterprises and individual users, while remaining free to use.

Overview and Key Features of MariaDB

MariaDB is highly compatible with MySQL and has evolved based on MySQL version 5.5. As a result, migration is generally easy for MySQL users, and in many cases existing databases and code can be used without modification. It also incorporates modern technologies that emphasize security and speed, enabling efficient operation even in cloud environments.

Differences Between MariaDB and MySQL

Although MariaDB and MySQL are very similar, they differ in development direction and licensing. MariaDB is actively developed by the open-source community, with frequent additions of new features and performance improvements. In contrast, MySQL is managed by Oracle Corporation and often includes features geared toward commercial use. Additionally, MariaDB independently adopts certain SQL syntax extensions and features, meaning some functionality is available only in MariaDB.

Main Use Cases and Advantages of MariaDB

MariaDB is used in a wide range of applications, from small websites to large-scale data analysis systems. It is particularly strong in environments requiring speed and scalability. The fact that many cloud service providers adopt MariaDB demonstrates its high level of performance and reliability.

2. Main Features and Benefits of MariaDB

MariaDB includes many features designed to accelerate database processing. Because it is open source, it can be freely used and customized.

High-Performance Database Engines

Like MySQL, MariaDB supports multiple storage engines such as InnoDB and MyISAM. In particular, the InnoDB engine excels at transaction management, enabling high-speed processing while maintaining data integrity. Systems requiring large-scale data processing can maximize performance by leveraging these engines.

Freedom Through Open Source

MariaDB is distributed under the GPL (GNU General Public License), allowing anyone to use, modify, and distribute it free of charge. This makes it possible for businesses and individuals to build and customize systems freely using MariaDB. Additionally, the strong open-source community support makes it easier to find solutions when problems arise.

Support for Large-Scale Data and Cluster Environments

MariaDB offers high scalability and operates reliably even in large databases and distributed environments. By using Galera Cluster and replication features, data can be distributed across multiple servers to improve fault tolerance and performance. This enables database infrastructure to grow alongside business expansion.

3. Preparation Before Installing MariaDB

Before installing MariaDB, it is important to prepare your system environment and dependencies. Below are the key points you should verify prior to installation.

Check System Requirements

To install MariaDB, your server must meet certain system requirements such as memory capacity and available disk space. In environments handling large volumes of data or high workloads, sufficient memory and CPU power are especially important. Be sure to check the latest requirements on the official website and properly prepare your infrastructure environment.

Verify Required Software and Dependencies

Installing MariaDB may require certain packages and dependencies to be installed beforehand. For example, in a Linux environment, you can use package managers such as apt or yum to install the required packages. Additionally, verify your firewall settings to ensure that access to MariaDB is not blocked.

The Importance of Backups

Before installing a new database system, it is strongly recommended to back up any existing databases. This is especially important when migrating from MySQL to MariaDB, as compatibility issues may occur. Taking a backup beforehand ensures the safety of your data.

4. MariaDB Installation Procedures

The installation process for MariaDB differs depending on the operating system. Below are installation instructions for Windows, Linux, and macOS environments.

For Windows

To install MariaDB on Windows, download and run the installer from the official website.

1. Downloading from the Official Website
Visit the MariaDB official website (https://mariadb.org/) and download the Windows installer. You can select the desired version on the site, and it is recommended to use the latest stable version.

2. Setup Using the Installer
Run the downloaded installer and follow the instructions in the installation wizard to set up MariaDB. The wizard allows you to select the components to install and the installation directory. You will also be prompted to set a root user password during the initial setup, so choose a strong password for security.

3. Initial Configuration and Starting the Service
Once installation is complete, the MariaDB service starts automatically. If you need to manage the service manually, you can start or stop MariaDB from the Windows “Services” management tool. After confirming the service is running, connect using the Command Prompt or a MariaDB client tool to verify proper operation.

For Linux

On Linux, MariaDB installation varies by distribution and uses package managers such as apt or yum. Below are general instructions for Ubuntu and CentOS.

1. Installation Using a Package Manager (Ubuntu)

sudo apt update
sudo apt install mariadb-server

On Ubuntu, you can install MariaDB using the commands above. After installation, the MariaDB service starts automatically.

2. Adding the Repository and Installing (CentOS)
On CentOS, MariaDB may not be included in the default repositories, so you may need to add the official MariaDB repository before installation.

# Add repository
sudo yum install -y https://downloads.mariadb.com/MariaDB/mariadb_repo_setup

# Install MariaDB
sudo yum install -y MariaDB-server MariaDB-client

After installation, proceed to start the service.

3. Initial Configuration and Starting the Service
After installation, start the MariaDB service and enable it to start automatically at boot using the following commands:

sudo systemctl start mariadb
sudo systemctl enable mariadb

Once the service is running properly, perform initial configuration and security hardening. Run the mysql_secure_installation script to configure the root password, remove anonymous users, and apply other security settings.

sudo mysql_secure_installation

This completes the basic setup of MariaDB on Linux.

For macOS

On macOS, MariaDB can be easily installed using Homebrew. Follow the steps below to install and configure it.

1. Installation Using Homebrew
First, ensure that Homebrew is installed. If it is not installed, follow the instructions on the official Homebrew website to install it.

brew install mariadb

Running this command installs MariaDB on macOS.

2. Initial Configuration and Starting the Service
After installation, start the MariaDB service:

brew services start mariadb

Once started, run the following command to perform initial setup and strengthen security:

mysql_secure_installation

This script allows you to set the root password, remove unnecessary users, and delete the test database. MariaDB is now ready for use on macOS.

5. Initial Configuration of MariaDB

After installing MariaDB, it is important to perform initial configuration to enhance security. Below are the basic security settings and the removal of unnecessary databases and users.

Setting the Root User Password

Immediately after installation, the root user password is often not set. Be sure to configure a strong password.

ALTER USER 'root'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'new_password';

This command sets a password for the root user and improves security.

Removing Unnecessary Databases and Users

MariaDB may include a test database and default users immediately after installation. Use the following commands to remove unnecessary databases and strengthen security.

DROP DATABASE test;
DELETE FROM mysql.user WHERE User='';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

This removes the test database and anonymous users, improving MariaDB security.

Strengthening Security Settings

You can further enhance default security settings by running the mysql_secure_installation command. Follow the prompts to set the root password, remove anonymous users, disable remote root login, and apply additional security configurations.

6. Basic MariaDB Operations

After completing installation and initial configuration, learning the basic database operations will allow you to use MariaDB efficiently. Below are instructions for creating databases and users, as well as managing tables.

Creating and Deleting Databases

Creating a Database
To create a new database in MariaDB, use the following command:

CREATE DATABASE database_name;

Example:

CREATE DATABASE example_db;

This command creates a database named “example_db”.

Deleting a Database
To delete a database that is no longer needed, use the following command:

DROP DATABASE database_name;

Example:

DROP DATABASE example_db;

Be cautious when deleting a database, as this operation cannot be undone.

Creating Users and Granting Privileges

Creating a User
To create a new user, use the following command:

CREATE USER 'username'@'host' IDENTIFIED BY 'password';

Example:

CREATE USER 'user1'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'password123';

Granting Privileges
To grant a user access privileges to a specific database, use the following command:

GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON database_name.* TO 'username'@'host';

Example:

GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON example_db.* TO 'user1'@'localhost';

To apply privilege changes, run:

FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

Creating Tables and Inserting Data

Creating a Table
To create a new table in MariaDB, use the following command:

CREATE TABLE table_name (
    column_name1 data_type,
    column_name2 data_type,
    ...
);

Example:

CREATE TABLE employees (
    id INT PRIMARY KEY,
    name VARCHAR(50),
    age INT,
    position VARCHAR(50)
);

Inserting Data
To insert data into a created table, use the following command:

INSERT INTO table_name (column_name1, column_name2, ...) VALUES (value1, value2, ...);

Example:

INSERT INTO employees (id, name, age, position) VALUES (1, 'Alice', 28, 'Developer');

Updating and Deleting Data
To update existing data, use the following command:

UPDATE table_name SET column_name = new_value WHERE condition;

Example:

UPDATE employees SET age = 29 WHERE id = 1;

To delete data, use:

DELETE FROM table_name WHERE condition;

Example:

DELETE FROM employees WHERE id = 1;

7. Troubleshooting

Below are some common errors and issues that may occur during MariaDB installation or usage, along with their solutions.

Common Installation Errors and Solutions

During MariaDB installation, errors related to dependencies or package versions may occur. Updating your package manager to the latest state and adding the correct repository often resolves most of these issues.

What to Check If the Service Does Not Start

If the MariaDB service does not start properly, check the log files (for example, /var/log/mariadb) to identify the cause of the error. Also verify that there are no port conflicts and confirm whether the service is already running.

Causes and Solutions for Connection Errors

If external connections are not possible, check your firewall settings and the bind-address setting in the MariaDB configuration file (my.cnf). Allow remote connections if necessary.

8. Conclusion

This article explained MariaDB from its overview and installation to basic operations and troubleshooting. MariaDB is a high-performance and flexible database widely used as an open-source solution. By performing proper installation and security hardening, and mastering basic operations, you can improve your database management skills.

For further learning, refer to the official documentation and online communities to deepen your understanding of MariaDB.