# MariaDB 12.0 Changes & Improvements {% hint style="info" %}

The most recent release of MariaDB 12.0 is:

MariaDB 12.0.2 Stable (GA) Download Now

Alternate download from mariadb.org

{% endhint %} MariaDB 12.0 is a [rolling release](https://mariadb.com/docs/release-notes/community-server/about/release-model). It is an evolution of [MariaDB 11.8](https://mariadb.com/docs/release-notes/community-server/11.8/what-is-mariadb-118) with several entirely new features. ## New Features ### Security * Support for passphrase protected keys ([MDEV-14091](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-14091)) * [ssl\_passphrase system](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/security/encryption/data-in-transit-encryption/ssltls-system-variables#ssl_passphrase) variable * New statement [SET SESSION AUTHORIZATION](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/reference/sql-statements/account-management-sql-statements/set-session-authorization) for performing actions as another user ([MDEV-20299](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-20299)) * Implement SHA2 support for file\_key\_management.so plugin (TDE) ([MDEV-34712](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-34712)) ### Data types * Comparison [ROW](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/reference/data-types/string-data-types/row)(stored\_func(),1)=ROW(1,1) erroneously called stored\_func() twice per row. It led to a performance degradation, as well as to a double execution of the possible stored function side effects. ([MDEV-36322](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-36322)) ### Stored Routines * Add support for the pre-defined weak SYS\_REFCURSOR ([MDEV-20034](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-20034)) * [max\_open\_cursors](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/server-management/variables-and-modes/server-system-variables#max_open_cursors) system variable limits the number of [cursors](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/reference/sql-statements/programmatic-compound-statements/programmatic-compound-statements-cursors) opened at the same time ### Server * Add the FM format to [TO\_CHAR](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/reference/sql-functions/string-functions/to_char), which suppresses following padding ([MDEV-36216](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-36216)) * [mariadb-check](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/clients-and-utilities/table-tools/mariadb-check) and [CHECK TABLE](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/reference/sql-statements/table-statements/check-table) now support [SEQUENCE tables](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/server-usage/storage-engines/sequence-storage-engine) ([MDEV-22491](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-22491)) ### Optimizer * [Rowid Filtering](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/ha-and-performance/optimization-and-tuning/query-optimizations/rowid-filtering-optimization) optimization can now be applied for reverse-ordered scans ([MDEV-36094](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-36094)) * [Index Condition Pushdown](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/ha-and-performance/optimization-and-tuning/query-optimizations/index-condition-pushdown) optimization can now applied for reverse-ordered scans ([MDEV-34413](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-34413)) * Loose Index Scan ("Use index for group-by") optimization can now use indexes with DESC key parts ([MDEV-32732](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-32732)) * find\_order\_in\_list mismatch when order item needs fixing() ([MDEV-36607](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-36607)) * If the join\_condition is specified via USING (column\_list), the query plan depends on the sequence of tables in the query ([MDEV-36592](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-36592)) ### Optimizer hints * Add support for [optimizer hints](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/ha-and-performance/optimization-and-tuning/optimizer-hints) ([MDEV-35504](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-35504)) * [QB\_NAME](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/ha-and-performance/optimization-and-tuning/optimizer-hints#query-block-naming) * [NO\_RANGE\_OPTIMIZATION](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/ha-and-performance/optimization-and-tuning/optimizer-hints#no_range_optimization) * [NO\_ICP](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/ha-and-performance/optimization-and-tuning/optimizer-hints#no_icp) * [MRR, NO\_MRR](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/ha-and-performance/optimization-and-tuning/optimizer-hints#mrr-and-no_mrr) * [BKA, NO\_BKA](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/ha-and-performance/optimization-and-tuning/optimizer-hints#bka-and-no_bka) * [BNL, NO\_BNL](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/ha-and-performance/optimization-and-tuning/optimizer-hints#bnl-and-no_bnl) * Add support for subquery optimizer hints ([MDEV-34888](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-34888)) * [SEMIJOIN](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/ha-and-performance/optimization-and-tuning/optimizer-hints#semijoin-and-no_semijoin) * [SUBQUERY](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/ha-and-performance/optimization-and-tuning/optimizer-hints#subquery-hint) * Add support for join order hints ([MDEV-34870](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-34870)) * JOIN\_FIXED\_ORDER similar to existing STRAIGHT\_JOIN hint * JOIN\_ORDER to apply the specified table order * JOIN\_PREFIX to hint what tables should be first in the join * JOIN\_SUFFIX to hint what tables should be last in the join * Add support for the [MAX\_EXECUTION\_TIME](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/ha-and-performance/optimization-and-tuning/optimizer-hints#max_execution_time) hint ([MDEV-34860](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-34860)) ### GIS New [GIS](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/reference/sql-structure/geometry/gis-features-in-533) functions. These functions improve compatibility with MySQL 8. * [ST\_Validate](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/reference/sql-statements/geometry-constructors/miscellaneous-gis-functions/st_validate) ([MDEV-34137](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-34137)) * [MBRCoveredBy](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/reference/sql-statements/geometry-constructors/mbr-minimum-bounding-rectangle/mbrcoveredby) ([MDEV-34138](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-34138)) * [ST\_Simplify](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/reference/sql-statements/geometry-constructors/miscellaneous-gis-functions/st_simplify) ([MDEV-34141](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-34141)) * [ST\_GeoHash](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/reference/sql-statements/geometry-constructors/miscellaneous-gis-functions/st_geohash) ([MDEV-34158](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-34158)) * [ST\_LatFromGeoHash](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/reference/sql-statements/geometry-constructors/miscellaneous-gis-functions/st_latfromgeohash) ([MDEV-34159](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-34159)) * [ST\_LongFromGeoHash](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/reference/sql-statements/geometry-constructors/miscellaneous-gis-functions/st_longfromgeohash) ([MDEV-34160](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-34160)) * [ST\_PointFromGeoHash](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/reference/sql-statements/geometry-constructors/miscellaneous-gis-functions/st_pointfromgeohash) ([MDEV-34277](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-34277)) * [ST\_IsValid](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/reference/sql-statements/geometry-constructors/miscellaneous-gis-functions/st_isvalid) ([MDEV-34276](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-34276)) * [ST\_Collect](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/reference/sql-statements/geometry-constructors/miscellaneous-gis-functions/st_collect) ([MDEV-34278](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-34278)) ### Trigger * Add support for TRIGGERS that fire on multiple events ([MDEV-10164](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-10164)) ### Replication * Server displays if it was started with the [skip-slave-start](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/server-management/starting-and-stopping-mariadb/mariadbd-options#skip-slave-start) option ([MDEV-27669](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-27669)) * [show\_slave\_auth\_info](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/ha-and-performance/standard-replication/replication-and-binary-log-system-variables#show_slave_auth_info) has been added as a system variable (previously it was just an option). It determines whether to show the user and password in [SHOW REPLICA HOSTS](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/reference/sql-statements/administrative-sql-statements/show/show-replica-hosts) (SHOW SLAVE HOSTS) on the primary. * [replicate\_same\_server\_id](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/ha-and-performance/standard-replication/replication-and-binary-log-system-variables#replicate_same_server_id) system variable added (previously it was just an option), which permits not skipping events having our server id. * Ensure that creation and usage of temporary tables in replication is predictable ([MDEV-36099](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-36099)) * [create\_tmp\_table\_binlog\_formats](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/ha-and-performance/standard-replication/replication-and-binary-log-system-variables#create_tmp_table_binlog_formats) system variable. ### Galera * In [Galera](https://app.gitbook.com/o/diTpXxF5WsbHqTReoBsS/s/3VYeeVGUV4AMqrA3zwy7/), needless foreign key checks during Incremental State Transfers are now avoided ([MDEV-34822](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-34822)) ### Audit Plugin * The [Audit Plugin](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/reference/plugins/mariadb-audit-plugin/mariadb-audit-plugin-overview) now logs HOST:PORT of incoming connections instead of just the host ([MDEV-1282](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-1282)) * Added tls\_version field for connection audit plugins ([MDEV-33834](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-33834)) ### Configuration * Get option group suffix from `$MARIADB_GROUP_SUFFIX` in addition to `$MYSQL_GROUP_SUFFIX` ([MDEV-21375](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-21375)) ### mariadb Client * Can set an alternative directory path for searching scripts invoked via the source command, with the [--script-dir](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/clients-and-utilities/mariadb-client/mariadb-command-line-client#script-dir) mariadb client option ([MDEV-23818](https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/MDEV-23818)) ### Variables For a list of all new variables, see [System Variables Added in MariaDB 12.0](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/ha-and-performance/optimization-and-tuning/system-variables/system-and-status-variables-added-by-major-release/system-variables-added-in-mariadb-12.0). #### Removed * [big\_tables](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/server-management/variables-and-modes/server-system-variables#big_tables), deprecated in [MariaDB 10.5.0](https://mariadb.com/docs/release-notes/community-server/old-releases/10.5/10.5.0) * [large\_page\_size](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/server-management/variables-and-modes/server-system-variables#large_page_size), deprecated in [MariaDB 10.5.3](https://mariadb.com/docs/release-notes/community-server/old-releases/10.5/10.5.3) * [storage\_engine](https://app.gitbook.com/s/SsmexDFPv2xG2OTyO5yV/server-management/variables-and-modes/server-system-variables#storage_engine), deprecated in [MariaDB 5.5](https://mariadb.com/docs/release-notes/community-server/old-releases/5.5/changes-improvements-in-mariadb-5-5). ## List of All MariaDB 12.0 Releases | Date | Release | Status | Release Notes | Changelog | | ------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 7 Aug 2025 | [MariaDB 12.0.2](https://mariadb.com/docs/release-notes/community-server/old-releases/12.0/12.0.2) | GA | [Release Notes](https://mariadb.com/docs/release-notes/community-server/old-releases/12.0/12.0.2) | [Changelog](https://mariadb.com/docs/release-notes/community-server/changelogs/12.0/12.0.2) | | 5 Jun 2025 | [MariaDB 12.0.1](https://mariadb.com/docs/release-notes/community-server/old-releases/12.0/12.0.1) | RC | [Release Notes](https://mariadb.com/docs/release-notes/community-server/old-releases/12.0/12.0.1) | [Changelog](https://mariadb.com/docs/release-notes/community-server/changelogs/12.0/12.0.1) | | 26 March 2025 | [MariaDB 12.0.0](https://mariadb.com/docs/release-notes/community-server/old-releases/12.0) | Preview | | | *This page is licensed: CC BY-SA / Gnu FDL* {% @marketo/form formid="4316" formId="4316" %}