A relational database matches data using common characteristics found within the data set. The resulting groups of data are organized and are much easier for people to understand. In such a database the data and relations between them are organized in tables. A table is a collection of records and each record in a table contains the same fields. Certain fields may be designated as keys, which means that searches for specific values of that field will use indexing to speed them up.
The term relational database was originally defined by Edgar Codd, a British computer scientist, whilst working at IBM Almaden Research Center. He recognized that the concept of a relational database could be derived from the principles of relational algebra and relational calculus.
A Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) is a Database Management System (DBMS) that is based on the relational model. Most database systems today are based on this type of system.
A database is a vital system for any organization that stores mission critical information. The continual failure of a company’s database system can only lead to the demise of the organization – companies cannot do business without a working database system.
To provide an insight into the quality of software that is available, we have compiled a list of 10 open source RDBMS. Hopefully, there will be something of interest here for anyone who wants to store data in an efficient way.
Here’s our verdict captured in a legendary LinuxLinks-style ratings chart.

Click the links in the table below to learn more about each database.
| Relational Databases | |
|---|---|
| MariaDB | Seeks high compatibility with MySQL, ensuring drop-in replacement capability |
| PostgreSQL | Award winning Object-relational database management system |
| MySQL | Multithreaded, multi-user SQL database management system |
| SQLite | Embeddable SQL Database Engine |
| rqlite | Distributed database built on SQLite |
| MonetDB | High performance relational database system for analytics |
| Firebird | Relational database offering many ANSI SQL features |
| H2 | Relational database management system written in Java |
| HSQLDB | JDBC interface, client-server version, query tool, grid and more |
| CUBRID | Database engine with built-in enterprise grade features |
| Virtuoso | Data Management with Web Application Server and Web Services Platform |
| Apache Derby | Full-featured relational database implemented entirely in Java |
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Mysql is not free any More for people banned by OracleCorp, cause of communist maduro’s goverment
You are not correct, MySQL is open source, licensed under GNU GPL v2. There is also a proprietary license.