Like our strong-selling book, "Understanding the Linux Kernel," this new guide goes to the heart of the MySQL database, another leading open source software project. Written by Sasha Pachev, a former member of the MySQL Development Team, "Understanding MySQL Internals" provides a comprehensive tour of the latest version, MySQL 5, and shows you how to figure out the inner-workings of this popular open source database project. You'll learn how data structures and convenience functions operate, how to add new storage engines and configuration options, and much more. "Understanding MySQL Internals" will help you reach a whole new level of comprehension regarding database development. It provides unprecedented opportunities for IT departments, software vendors, and computer science students to learn about the inner workings of this enterprise-proven database.