Binary Log
A binary log is a file that records all changes to a database, such as data modifications and structural changes, in a binary format for efficient storage and replication. It is commonly used in database systems like MySQL and MariaDB to enable features like replication, point-in-time recovery, and auditing. The log contains a sequence of events that can be replayed to reconstruct the database state.
Developers should learn about binary logs when working with database replication, as they are essential for setting up master-slave or master-master replication in systems like MySQL to ensure data consistency across servers. They are also crucial for database recovery scenarios, allowing restoration to a specific point in time after a failure or corruption. Understanding binary logs is key for implementing auditing mechanisms or analyzing database activity for debugging and optimization.