MySQL 4.0.0 Released

The long awaited version 4.0 of the MySQL database is now
available for download at the MySQL website. The new version is
intended as a platform for building mission critical, heavy load
database solutions, and much effort has been put into providing a
solid foundation for planned enhancements, some of which are
included from the start. Although the current release is an alpha
version, the development team expects to release a beta version
after rapid initial testing and will also add a number of new
features in the weeks to come.

Some features already available in the alpha 4.0.0. version:

• Embedded MySQL server library making it easier to embed the
  MySQL server in third party software and solutions
• Secure connections employing Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)
• Correct German character set sorting order
• Enhanced speed, for instance as a result of bulk INSERTs,
  searching of packed indices and creation of Full-text indices
• Enhanced compatibility with other DBMS’s and SQL standard, for
  instance support of the UNION statement

Some features that soon will be added:

• Allow users to change startup options without taking down the
  server
• Fail safe replication
• Online hot backup with very low performance penalty
• For a full description of new features, please consult the
  online MySQL manual at http://www.mysql.com/doc/.