Introduction to TiDB in Data-Centric Applications

Overview of TiDB as a Distributed SQL Database

TiDB, or “Titanium Database,” is an advanced open-source distributed SQL database designed to handle Hybrid Transactional and Analytical Processing (HTAP) workloads. By integrating both OLTP (Online Transaction Processing) and OLAP (Online Analytical Processing) functionalities, TiDB effectively addresses modern data infrastructure demands, where real-time analytics and transactions need seamless coexistence. TiDB is fully MySQL-compatible, allowing for seamless migration without substantial code changes, making it a robust choice for existing MySQL users. It delivers horizontal scalability, strong consistency, and high availability, making it ideal for businesses dealing with enormous data quantities or needing a flexible and reliable database architecture.

The architecture of TiDB comprises several key components: the TiDB server for executing SQL queries, the TiKV server as the transactional key-value storage engine, TiFlash for columnar storage, and the Placement Driver (PD) for metadata management and scheduling. This unique separation between computing and storage allows for independent scaling, providing businesses with the flexibility needed to adapt to varying workload demands efficiently.


Last updated September 7, 2025

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