MySQL is one of the oldest database management systems still in mainstream use. An open-source software created by Oracle, it’s customizable to your own specific needs, since its code is publicly available. MySQL is also popular because it can run on any platform, be it Linux, UNIX, Windows, etc. It has tools for database management, data optimization and data querying. While it is a very flexible database, MySQL is not designed to be scalable, which can make it an unworthy choice for companies expecting to grow.