CODEWITHSUNDEEP
mysqldelphidesktop-application
TomR
TomR

Reputation: 3056

Very lightweight installation of MySQL (without commercial embedded mode license)

I would like to use MySQL database as local temporary database in desktop application, is there installation mode that does support such use case? E.g. user is required to copy only some dll's and maybe some configuration or log files and nothing more (no installation directory in Program Files, no opening ports).

I know that MySQL provides commercial embedded mode (I guess - MySQL functionality can be compiled into the final executable), but maybe there is more options which do not require such commercial license? E.g. maybe it is not needed for using dll's only.

C++ Builder or Delphi are possible languages for mentioned desktop application.

Upvotes: 1

Views: 2136

Answers (2)

Jeremy Smyth
Jeremy Smyth

Reputation: 23493

MySQL is available in an embedded DLL or SO file from MySQL under a GPL licence, like most other MySQL software. You can use and distribute it under the terms of the GPL at no cost, which in the case of an embedded component requires that your own software is GPL (or GPL-compatible). The filename is libmysql.dll (or .so) and packaged with MySQL installers or distributions, such as those that come from http://dev.mysql.com/downloads/mysql/.

Baron Schwartz has a useful article summarizing the issues, assuming you're talking about using the GPL (Community Edition) version of MySQL embedded, and not a commercial release. He says:

You need a commercial license if you want to embed MySQL within your non-Free program. Note that embed is not the same as “make a connection to.”

Of course, he also says he's not a lawyer (nor am I), so you should bear that in mind when considering using GPL software (or any other licence) in your application.

Upvotes: 2

errata
errata

Reputation: 26812

I don't believe there is a free "embedded" version. You may want to look at other options such as SQLite etc.

Upvotes: 0

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