Database Engine

A database engine (or "storage engine") is the underlying software component that a database management system (DBMS) uses to create, read, update and delete (CRUD) data from a database. Most database management systems include their own application programming interface (API) that allows the user to interact with their underlying engine without going through the user interface of the DBMS.

The term database engine is frequently used interchangeably with database server or database management system.

Many of the modern DBMS support multiple storage engines within the same database. For example, MySQL supports InnoDB as well as MyISAM.

Some storage engines are transactional.

Name Free Transactional
Aria GPL No
BlitzDB GPL No
Falcon GPL Yes
InnoDB GPL Yes
MyISAM GPL No
InfiniDB CPL No
TokuDB N/A Yes
XtraDB GPL Yes

Famous quotes containing the word engine:

    There is a small steam engine in his brain which not only sets the cerebral mass in motion, but keeps the owner in hot water.
    —Unknown. New York Weekly Mirror (July 5, 1845)