Expert MySQL is the leading reference for learning, understanding, and extending the MySQL server. It unlocks the full promise of open source by showing how to modify the code, create your own storage engine, build your own authentication plugins, and even add your own functions and commands to the SQL language. No other book provides the level of detail or the extensive examples of the inner workings of MySQL that have taken engineers years to master. Expert MySQL is a must-have book for all systems integrators, engineers, and software developers working with the MySQL server code. It is also a wealth of information on key aspects of MySQL internals. You'll learn about internal query representation, how the optimizer creates execution plans, and how to exert control over those plans for optimal performance in your environment. You'll even learn to build your own query optimizer.