Updated 20-Sep-2023
MySQL is good for large multi-user databases. However, when dealing with few changes to the database, and many reads, it is far from a great solution (in fact, is a terrible solution). SQLite is far superior in that situation, and for serial/sequential edits.
MySQL 5.6 vs. 5.7
For those with minimal database needs, 5.7 is simply overkill. It eats ram, and responds badly when that ram is taken away from it (by an obnoxious Apache process, most likely). Oracle, you suck.
Amazon Linux MySQL
The Amazon Linux repository has MySQL 5.6 and that is what should be used, according to Amazon.
Configuring and Optimizing MySQL
Configuring and optimizing MySQL is more art than science. I'm in the middle, so here are some resources: - MySQL Documentation - Configuring the Server 5.6 - MySQL Memory Allocation - Rick James - Understand what has changed between MySQL 5.6 and 5.7 before upgrading - SeveralNines Blog - MySQL 5.6 Configuration for WordPress - Mike Jung - MySQL 5.6 Configuration - LittleBizzy - 10 MySQL Performance Tuning Settings - Percona - Unsolvable Epic MySQL Crashes in WordPress - Digital Ocean Forum - mysqld service stops once a day on ec2 server - StackOverflow - Optimize my.cnf with MariaDB - Cpanel forums - Optimising MySQL settings - mysqld running out of memory - Ask Ubuntu - mysql Fatal error: cannot allocate memory for the buffer pool - StackOverflow