Tech Lounge 30 years of MySQL with Peter Zaitsev of Percona
Aug 14, 2025
Peter Zaitsev, founder of Percona, dives into the rich 30-year journey of MySQL, discussing its rise to prominence and impact on the database landscape. He shares insights on the transition from small businesses to significant enterprise support, highlighting the balance between open-source solutions and proprietary software. Zaitsev also explores innovative uses of MySQL, including its ability to store DNA sequences, and speculates on its future as it navigates interactions with Oracle and embraces new technologies like JavaScript for storage procedures.
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Buy Support, Not Closed Source Licenses
- If you want enterprise assurance without proprietary lock-in, buy commercial support around open source rather than the proprietary edition.
- Percona monetizes support and guarantees bug fixes and compliance for enterprises using open-source databases.
How Peter Started With MySQL
- Peter discovered MySQL in 1999 during a startup search for a database and picked it after a quick demo comparing it to Postgres.
- He admits his choice came from about 30 seconds of due diligence as a 19-year-old student.
Simplicity Fueled MySQL's Rise
- MySQL succeeded by being easy and inclusive, targeting developers who wanted simplicity over database expertise.
- Integration with PHP and deliberate compatibility choices accelerated its adoption in the LAMP stack.