Michael Widenius
Ulf Michael Widenius, commonly known as Monty, is a Finnish software programmer and an influential figure in the open-source software community. Born on March 3, 1962, in Helsinki, Finland, Widenius is celebrated for his pioneering work in developing MySQL, a widely used relational database management system.
Early Life and Education
Michael Widenius attended the co-educational school Broban, which later merged into Minervaskolan, and subsequently into Lönnbeckska gymnasiet. He briefly attended the Helsinki University of Technology but dropped out to pursue a career in software development. His early career began at Tapio Laakso Oy in 1981, where he honed his skills in programming.
Contribution to MySQL
Widenius is best known as the main author of the original version of MySQL. Along with his Swedish colleague David Axmark, Widenius began the development of MySQL in 1994. The database quickly gained popularity for its efficiency and open-source nature, becoming a central component of the LAMP stack, which includes Linux, Apache HTTP Server, MySQL, and PHP.
In 1995, Widenius co-founded MySQL AB with Axmark and Allan Larsson to further develop the project. The company played a significant role in the global spread of open-source databases.
The Oracle Acquisition and "Save MySQL" Campaign
In 2008, Sun Microsystems acquired MySQL AB, and in 2010, Oracle Corporation acquired Sun Microsystems. Concerned about Oracle's control over MySQL, Widenius initiated a campaign called "Save MySQL," encouraging MySQL users to lobby the European Commission to ensure the database's continued open-source status. This effort included a widely supported online petition.
Founding of MariaDB
Following the Oracle acquisition, Widenius founded Monty Program AB and began work on MariaDB, a fork of MySQL designed to remain free and open-source. Named after his younger daughter Maria, MariaDB has become a popular alternative to MySQL, driven by a community of developers who value its transparency and openness.
Involvement in Other Ventures
Widenius has been involved in various other ventures and investments. He is a partner at OpenOcean, a venture capital firm that supports open-source projects. Additionally, Widenius has invested in RapidMiner, a data science platform, and Truecaller, an app for caller identification.
Recognition and Awards
Widenius has received numerous accolades for his contributions to the software industry and the open-source movement. He remains a prominent advocate for free and open-source software, constantly working to ensure that technology remains accessible to everyone.