This is a yet-another compilation of the new MySQL 5.6 feature set. It is not a complete drill down. This list reflects what I believe to be the interesting new features user and usability -wise.
For example, I won’t be listing InnoDB’s split of kernel mutex. I’m assuming it can have a great impact on overall performance due to reducing lock contention; but usability-wise, this is very internal.
The complication is an aggregate of the many announcements and other complications published earlier on. See a reference at the end of this post.
Do note I am not using 5.6 as yet; it is in RC, not GA. I am mostly excited just to write down this list.
InnoDB
- Online ALTER TABLE: if there is one major new feature in 5.6 you would want to upgrade for, this would be it. Add columns, drop columns, rename columns, add indexes, drop indexes – now online, while your SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE and DELETE statements are running.
- Transportable tablespace files: copy+paste your_table.ibd files with FLUSH TABLE FOR EXPORT and ALTER TABLE … IMPORT TABLESPACE.
- FULLTEXT: for many, the one thing holding them back from leaving MyISAM behind. Now available in InnoDB with same syntax as with MyISAM.
- Memcached API: access InnoDB data via memcahced protocol, and skip the SQL interface.
- User defined table location: place your tables in your pre-defined location. Place other tables elsewhere. This is something I’ve been asked about for ages.