# What is MariaDB?

MariaDB is a [backwards compatible](/docs/release-notes/community-server/about/compatibility-and-differences/mariadb-vs-mysql-compatibility.md), drop-in replacement of the MySQL® Database Server. It includes all major open source storage engines.

You can see a [list of all current and old releases](https://mariadb.com/docs/release-notes/) as well as a [feature comparison to MySQL](/docs/release-notes/community-server/about/compatibility-and-differences/mariadb-vs-mysql-features.md).

The source code for MariaDB is [publically available](/docs/server/clients-and-utilities/server-client-software/download/getting-the-mariadb-source-code.md) on [GitHub](https://github.com/MariaDB/server). Binaries and packages are [also available](https://mariadb.org/download).

<sub>*This page is licensed: CC BY-SA / Gnu FDL*</sub>

{% @marketo/form formId="4316" %}


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://mariadb.com/docs/general-resources/community/community/faq/mariadb-software-questions/what-is-mariadb.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.