--- parent: Decision Records nav_order: 4 --- # Use MariaDB Connector ## Context and Problem Statement JabRef needs to connect to a MySQL database. See [Shared SQL Database](https://docs.jabref.org/collaborative-work/sqldatabase) for more information. ## Considered Options * Use MariaDB Connector * Use MySQL Connector Other alternatives are listed at [https://stackoverflow.com/a/31312280/873282](https://stackoverflow.com/a/31312280/873282). ## Decision Outcome Chosen option: "Use MariaDB Connector", because comes out best \(see below\). ## Pros and Cons of the Options ### Use MariaDB Connector The [MariaDB Connector](https://mariadb.com/kb/en/library/about-mariadb-connector-j/) is a LGPL-licensed JDBC driver to connect to MySQL and MariaDB. * Good, because can be used as drop-in replacement for MySQL connector ### Use MySQL Connector The [MySQL Connector](https://www.mysql.com/de/products/connector/) is distributed by Oracle and licensed under GPL-2. Source: [https://github.com/mysql/mysql-connector-j/blob/release/9.x/LICENSE](https://github.com/mysql/mysql-connector-j/blob/release/9.x/LICENSE). Oracle added the [Universal FOSS Exception, Version 1.0](https://oss.oracle.com/licenses/universal-foss-exception/) to it, which seems to limit the effects of GPL. More information on the FOSS Exception are available at [https://www.mysql.com/de/about/legal/licensing/foss-exception/](https://www.mysql.com/de/about/legal/licensing/foss-exception/). * Good, because it stems from the same development team than MySQL * Bad, because the "Universal FOSS Exception" makes licensing more complicated.