MySQL Update Ready To RollMySQL Update Ready To Roll

MySQL AB on Wednesday slapped the 'production ready' label on the latest version of its open-source business database server and shoved it out the door.

Version 4.1's new features include advanced querying capabilities through subqueries, faster and more secure client-server communication, new installation and configuration wizards for Windows and Linux, and support for international character sets and geographic data, said MySQL.

"Our user community has been testing MySQL 4.1 for months, and hundreds of businesses have already deployed production applications based upon it," said Marten Mickos, the chief executive officer of MySQL AB in a statement.

By rating MySQL 4.1 production ready, the Swedish database vendor certifies that it's stable enough to deploy enterprise-wide and reliable enough to handle mission-critical applications.

The production version of MySQL 4.1 is available now for Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, Solaris, FreeBSD, HP-UX, IBM AIX, and other OSes. The database can be downloaded free of charge under an open-source license from the MySQL Web site. Commercial licenses that include support are also available starting at $595 per server.