> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://mariadb.com/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://mariadb.com/docs/release-notes/community-server/old-releases/11.6/11.6.0.md).
# MariaDB 11.6.0 Release Notes
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The most recent release of MariaDB 11.6 is:
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Download Release Notes Overview of 11.6
**Release date:** 26 June 2024
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[MariaDB 11.6](/docs/release-notes/community-server/old-releases/11.6/what-is-mariadb-116.md) is a [rolling release](/docs/release-notes/community-server/about/release-model.md). It is an evolution of [MariaDB 11.5](/docs/release-notes/community-server/old-releases/11.5/what-is-mariadb-115.md) with several entirely new features.
[MariaDB 11.6.0](/docs/release-notes/community-server/old-releases/11.6/11.6.0.md) is a single preview release. Features are to be considered preview, and none are guaranteed to make it into [MariaDB 11.6](/docs/release-notes/community-server/old-releases/11.6/what-is-mariadb-116.md).
The preview is available as a container **quay.io/mariadb-foundation/mariadb-devel:11.6-preview**.
Thanks, and enjoy MariaDB!
## Notable Items
### Character Sets
* The default [character set](/docs/server/reference/data-types/string-data-types/character-sets.md) has been changed from `latin1` to `utf8mb4` ([MDEV-19123](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-19123))
### Backup and Restore
* Added the `--dir` option to [mariadb-import](/docs/server/clients-and-utilities/backup-restore-and-import-clients/mariadb-import.md), allowing one to restore all tables from a backup directory created using [mariadb-dump --dir](/docs/server/clients-and-utilities/backup-restore-and-import-clients/mariadb-dump.md) ([MDEV-33627](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-33627))
* Added the related `--database`, `--ignore-database`, `--table` and `--ignore-table` options.
* Refactor [mariadb-import](/docs/server/clients-and-utilities/backup-restore-and-import-clients/mariadb-import.md) threading
* Automatic SST user account management ([MDEV-31809](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-31809))
### Optimizer
* Improve selectivity computations for multi-part keys ([MDEV-33697](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-33697))
### Syntax
* Single-table [DELETEs](/docs/server/reference/sql-statements/data-manipulation/changing-deleting-data/delete.md) now support table aliases ([MDEV-33988](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-33988))
### Authentication
* [New authentication plugin](/docs/server/reference/plugins/authentication-plugins/authentication-plugin-parsec.md) ([MDEV-32618](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-32618))
* Extend [Unix socket authentication](/docs/server/reference/plugins/authentication-plugins/authentication-plugin-unix-socket.md) to support authentication\_string ([MDEV-33479](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-33479))
### Replication
* New definition for Seconds\_Behind\_Master ([MDEV-33856](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-33856))
* Added three variables to [SHOW ALL REPLICAS STATUS](/docs/server/reference/sql-statements/administrative-sql-statements/show/show-replica-status.md)
* New [Information Schema SLAVE\_STATUS Table](/docs/server/reference/system-tables/information-schema/information-schema-tables/information-schema-slave_status-table.md)
### General
* Set thread names for MariaDB Server threads ([MDEV-32537](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-32537))
### Variables
* For a list of all new variables, see [System Variables Added in MariaDB 11.6](/docs/server/ha-and-performance/optimization-and-tuning/system-variables/system-and-status-variables-added-by-major-release/system-and-status-variables-added-by-major-unmaintained-release/system-variables-added-in-mariadb-11-6.md) and [Status Variables Added in MariaDB 11.6](/docs/server/ha-and-performance/optimization-and-tuning/system-variables/system-and-status-variables-added-by-major-release/system-and-status-variables-added-by-major-unmaintained-release/status-variables-added-in-mariadb-11-5.md).
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Be notified of new MariaDB Server releases automatically by [subscribing](https://lists.mariadb.org/postorius/lists/announce.lists.mariadb.org/) to the MariaDB Foundation community announce 'at' lists.mariadb.org announcement list (this is a low traffic, announce-only list). MariaDB plc customers will be notified for all new releases, security issues and critical bug fixes for all MariaDB plc products thanks to the Notification Services.
MariaDB may already be included in your favorite OS distribution. More information can be found on the [Distributions which Include MariaDB](/docs/general-resources/distributions-including-mariadb.md) page.
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