Linux Database
What is a Linux Database?
A Linux database refers to any database built specifically for the Linux operating system. These databases are designed to take advantage of Linux’s features and will usually run on servers (both virtual and physical) that have been optimized to function on the open-source operating system.
This is important, as Linux offers different advantages when compared to more traditional operating systems like Windows or Apple’s Mac OS, but it does function somewhat differently.
Linux is based on the Unix language, and unlike Windows, or even Mac OS, most variants are fully command-line based. For databases, this means a higher degree of customizability and precision, but a lack of functionality on standard servers. More importantly, Linux servers, on which Linux databases are hosted, are known for their stability and reliable uptimes, so organizations can rest easier knowing their data is safe and accessible.
Linux is also a more secure language than Windows, allowing for more exact permissions and cordoning off data that should only be available to specific stakeholders in your organization.
Finally, Linux databases are useful because of Linux’s built-in flexibility. Its Unix kernel and open source nature means that you can create and add the specific tools you need, and it allows you full root access.
What can I use Linux Databases for?
Much like standard databases, you can use Linux databases for a wide variety of functions and data needs. Using a Linux database, you can create a more stable data warehouse that offers specific permissions to different team members and gives your IT team full root control to resolve any issue that may arise.
This is valuable, as creating databases with full access is great in practice, but may result in corrupted, deleted, or simply mis-stored data that could affect productivity.
By taking advantage of Linux’s built-in security features, you can create databases that are compatible with a variety of management systems including MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MariaDB.
If you’re using Linux databases as the foundation for your business analytics tools, you can also allow different team members faster access to a Linux database and give them better ability to perform ad-hoc analyses and on-demand queries.
On the other side, you can provide administrators and your IT team more control over the process and ensure databases can be built to optimize their performance for your organization.
