What is the difference between MySQL essential version and normal version?

MySQL Official Website: http://www.mysql.com/downloads/

There are several versions available on this download page.

1. MySQL Community Server Community version, open source free, but does not provide official technical support.
2. MySQL Enterprise Edition (available for 30 days.
3. MySQL Cluster version, open source free. Several MySQL servers can be encapsulated into one Server.
4. MySQL Cluster CGE advanced Cluster edition, pay-as-you-go.
5. MySQL Workbench (gui tool) is an ER/database modeling TOOL designed specifically for MySQL. It is the successor of the famous database design tool DBDesigner4. MySQL Workbench is divided into two versions: Community edition (MySQL Workbench OSS) and commercial edition (MySQL Workbench SE ).

MySQL Community Server is open-source and free, which is also the MySQL version we usually use. It is subdivided into multiple versions based on different operating system platforms. The following uses the windows platform as an example.

For example, the following interface is used to download mysql 5.5.19::

Note:
We chose Generally Available (GA) Release to download. GA refers to the general version of the software, and generally refers to the officially released version.
Mysql-5.5.19-win32.msi, windows installation package, msi installation package is installed with msiexec. In windows, double-click to install it according to the wizard, which is simple and convenient.
Mysql-5.5.19.zip, This is the windows source file, need to compile.
Mysql-5.5.19-win32.zip, this file can be used after unpacking, is compiled windows32-bit MySQL. Manual configuration is required.
The 64-bit version with "winx64" is used in the 64-bit operating system.
Generally do background development, we download mysql-5.5.19-win32.msi.
 

For example, the page for downloading mysql 5.1.60 is as follows:

Note:

Select Generally Available (GA) Release to download. GA refers to the general version of the software, and generally refers to the officially released version.
"Tials" refers to the lite version, which does not contain the embedded server and benchmark suite, has an automatic installation program and Configuration Wizard, and does not have a MySQL document.
"Noinstall" refers to a non-installed compressed package. Includes the embedded server and benchmark suite. There is no automatic installation program and Configuration Wizard. You need to manually install the configuration. There is a MySQL document.
The mysql-essential-5.1.60-win32.msi is lite, And if you only need the mysql service, select this version.
The mysql-5.1.60-win32.msi is the full version that contains setup and Configuration Wizard with MySQL documentation.
The mysql-noinstall-5.1.60-win32.zip is a non-installed zip package and there is no automatic setup and Configuration Wizard, You need to manually install the configuration, there is MySQL documentation.
Mysql-5.1.60.zip is for windows Mysql source compressed package
The 64-bit version with "winx64" is used in the 64-bit operating system.
Generally do background development, we can download mysql-essential-5.1.60-win32.msi.

[Author ]:

The essenessenpackage:
Embedded server and benchmark suite are not included, automatic installation and Configuration Wizard are available, and MySQL Documentation is not available.

The Complete Package:
Includes embedded server and benchmark suite, automatic installation program and Configuration Wizard, and MySQL Documentation.

The Noinstall Archive:
Includes embedded server and benchmark suite. There is no automatic installation program and Configuration Wizard, and there is MySQL Documentation.

In general, we will use the installation version with the automatic installation program and Configuration Wizard to facilitate the configuration of mysql. Of course, you can also use it manually.

Refer:

For MySQL 5.0, there are three installation packages to choose from when installing MySQL on Windows:

The Essential Package: This package has a filename similar to mysql-essential-5.0.40-win32.msi and contains the minimum set of files needed to install MySQL on Windows, including the Configuration Wizard. this package does not include optional components such as the embedded server and benchmark suite.

The Complete Package: This package has a filename similar to mysql-5.0.40-win32.zip and contains all files needed for a complete Windows installation, including the Configuration Wizard. this package includes des optional components such as the embedded server and benchmark suite.

The Noinstall Archive: This package has a filename similar to mysql-noinstall-5.0.40-win32.zip and contains all the files found in the Complete install package, with the exception of the Configuration Wizard. this package does not include an automatic installer, and must be manually installed and configured.

The essential package is recommended for most users. it is provided as. msi file for use with the Windows Installer. the Complete and Noinstall distributions are packaged as Zip archives. to use them, you must have a tool that can unpack. zip files.

Your choice of install package affects the installation process you must follow. if you choose to install either the essential tials or Complete install packages, see Section 2.4.8.2, "Installing MySQL with the automatic Installer ". if you choose to install MySQL from the Noinstall archive, see Section 2.4.8.5, "Installing MySQL from a Noinstall Zip Archive ".