MariaDB, a community developed fork of MySQL, will be the default implementation of MySQL in Fedora 19. Read more here https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Features/ReplaceMySQLwithMariaDB
I think that this is only the first step, next we will see that MariaDB will be replaced in RedHat too (and then it would of course happen in CentOS too). In time, I think therfor DirectAdmin should support both MySQL and MariaDB. Here is a old poll about it: http://forum.directadmin.com/showthread.php?t=35164
MariaDB is a fork of the MySQL database project that provides a drop-in replacement for MySQL. It preserves API/ABI compatibility with MySQL and adds some new features.
The original company behind MySQL, MySQL AB, were bought out by Sun which was then bought by Oracle. Recent changes made by Oracle indicate they are moving the MySQL project to be more closed. They are no longer publishing any useful information about security issues (CVEs), and they are not providing complete regression tests any more, and a very large fraction of the mysql bug database is now not public.
MariaDB, which was founded by some of the original MySQL developers, has a more open-source attitude and an active community. We have found them to be much easier to work with, especially in regards to security matters.
We would like to replace MySQL with MariaDB in early development cycle for Fedora 19. MySQL will continue to be available for at least one release, but MariaDB will become the default. Also, we do not intend to support concurrent installation of both packages on the same machine; pick one or the other.
I think that this is only the first step, next we will see that MariaDB will be replaced in RedHat too (and then it would of course happen in CentOS too). In time, I think therfor DirectAdmin should support both MySQL and MariaDB. Here is a old poll about it: http://forum.directadmin.com/showthread.php?t=35164