MariaDB 12.3 Preview released
A new preview of MariaDB 12.3 is out, kicking off a long-term release cycle packed with enhancements for this widely used database.
This version includes several noteworthy SQL feature additions and refinements. Many developers familiar with Oracle's functions will likely appreciate the addition of Oracle TO_DATE() compatibility. Also implemented are cursors on prepared statements, offering more flexibility for handling complex queries.
On the standards front, MariaDB now supports the SQL Standard SET PATH statement. This gives users a way to manage their database search path directly via standard syntax, which could be useful for organization and clarity. Alongside this, global temporary tables have been introduced. These allow temporary tables that are visible across multiple connections, handy when you need concurrency without permanent storage.
Other standard improvements include the IS JSON predicate, making it easier to check conditions within your JSON data; support for UPDATE/DELETE using Common Table Expressions (CTEs); and a new Basic XML data type, streamlining how users store and interact with XML documents inside MariaDB.
Performance upgrades are another key part of this release. Binary logging issues have been addressed directly; no more syncing is needed to ensure proper operation under certain conditions. And replication got a boost too: default settings for MASTER_SSL-related parameters can now be set via CHANGE MASTER commands, simplifying the process for establishing secure connections in distributed environments.
Beyond these specific upgrades, there are some less headline-grabbing but still valuable enhancements. New algorithms power PARTITION BY KEY operations, allowing more efficient distribution of data across partitions depending on your needs. The Hashicorp Plugin update brings a cache flush feature relevant to managing forced key rotation scenarios securely.
Finally, MariaDB tackles the performance aspect head-on with an optimization for reorderable LEFT JOINs, which should help speed things up in certain query patterns, especially when left joins form part of complex data retrieval sequences. As always with major releases like 12.3, users are encouraged to test these changes and provide feedback as adoption ramps up.
The focus here is on clarity and practical relevance rather than hype or promotion.
MariaDB 12.3 preview available
We are pleased to announce the availability of a preview of the MariaDB 12.3 series. MariaDB 12.3 will be a long-term release.
