Understanding MyVector Plugin

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 25 views

Introduction

In recent benchmarking tests, we observed a significant performance difference between MySQL and MariaDB when using the MySQL Python Connector and MariaDB Python Driver, respectively. Specifically, community MySQL 9.2 with the MySQL Python Connector was 30%-40% slower in elapsed time compared to MariaDB 11.7 with the MariaDB Python Driver for a simple SELECT benchmark. This discrepancy raises questions about the performance of MariaDB in comparison to MySQL, particularly in the context of vector search. In this article, we will explore the process of compiling the MyVector plugin for MariaDB, a plugin designed for efficient vector search.

Understanding MyVector Plugin

The MyVector plugin is a MySQL plugin that provides efficient vector search capabilities. It is designed to work seamlessly with MySQL, leveraging its query rewrite feature to optimize vector search queries. However, MariaDB does not have query rewrite, which presents a challenge for compiling the MyVector plugin. Nevertheless, we can still experiment with the plugin on MariaDB by executing ANN (Approximate Nearest Neighbors) search using explicit syntax.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, ensure that you have the following:

MariaDB 11.7 or later installed on your system
A compatible Python environment with the MariaDB Python Driver installed
The MyVector plugin source code

Step 1: Clone the MyVector Plugin Repository

To start, clone the MyVector plugin repository using Git:

git clone https://github.com/mysql/mysql-ann-plugin.git

Step 2: Modify the Plugin Code for MariaDB

The MyVector plugin code is designed to work with MySQL, which means it will not compile immediately with MariaDB. We need to modify the code to accommodate MariaDB's differences. Specifically, we need to:

Replace MySQL-specific functions with MariaDB-compatible alternatives
Update the plugin's configuration file to reflect MariaDB's configuration options

Step 3: Compile the Plugin

Once we have modified the plugin code, we can compile it using the following command:

make

This will generate a shared library file (e.g., myann.so) that we can load into MariaDB.

Step 4: Load the Plugin into MariaDB

To load the plugin into MariaDB, use the following command:

INSTALL PLUGIN myann SONAME 'myann.so';

Step 5: Test the Plugin

To test the plugin, we can execute a simple ANN search query using explicit syntax:

SELECT * FROM items WHERE distance <= 0.5 AND id IN (SELECT id FROM items WHERE vector = (SELECT vector FROM items WHERE id = 123));

This query should return the top 10 nearest neighbors to the item with ID 123.

Conclusion

In this article, we demonstrated how to compile the MyVector plugin for MariaDB, a plugin designed for efficient vector search. Although MariaDB does not have query rewrite, we can still experiment with the plugin using explicit syntax. By following these steps, you can test the plugin on your MariaDB instance and explore its capabilities.

Future Work

While this experiment is a good starting point, there are several areas for future improvement:

Optimize the plugin code for MariaDB: We can further optimize the plugin code to take advantage of MariaDB's features and improve performance.
Implement query rewrite for MariaDB: If MariaDB were to implement query rewrite, we could leverage this feature to optimize vector search queries.
Integrate the plugin with other MariaDB features: We can explore integrating the plugin with other MariaDB features, such as full-text search or spatial indexing.

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored the process of compiling the MyVector plugin for MariaDB, a plugin designed for efficient vector search. However, we understand that there may be many questions and concerns about the plugin's functionality, installation, and usage. In this article, we will address some of the most frequently asked questions about the MyVector plugin for MariaDB.

Q: What is the MyVector plugin, and what does it do?

A: The MyVector plugin is a MySQL plugin that provides efficient vector search capabilities. It is designed to work seamlessly with MySQL, leveraging its query rewrite feature to optimize vector search queries. However, MariaDB does not have query rewrite, which presents a challenge for compiling the MyVector plugin. Nevertheless, we can still experiment with the plugin on MariaDB by executing ANN (Approximate Nearest Neighbors) search using explicit syntax.

Q: What are the system requirements for installing the MyVector plugin?

A: To install the MyVector plugin, you will need:

MariaDB 11.7 or later installed on your system
A compatible Python environment with the MariaDB Python Driver installed
The MyVector plugin source code

Q: How do I install the MyVector plugin on MariaDB?

A: To install the MyVector plugin on MariaDB, follow these steps:

Clone the MyVector plugin repository using Git: git clone https://github.com/mysql/mysql-ann-plugin.git
Modify the plugin code to accommodate MariaDB's differences
Compile the plugin using the make command
Load the plugin into MariaDB using the INSTALL PLUGIN command

Q: How do I use the MyVector plugin on MariaDB?

A: To use the MyVector plugin on MariaDB, you can execute a simple ANN search query using explicit syntax:

SELECT * FROM items WHERE distance <= 0.5 AND id IN (SELECT id FROM items WHERE vector = (SELECT vector FROM items WHERE id = 123));

This query should return the top 10 nearest neighbors to the item with ID 123.

Q: What are the benefits of using the MyVector plugin on MariaDB?

A: The MyVector plugin provides several benefits, including:

Efficient vector search capabilities
Ability to execute ANN search queries using explicit syntax
Compatibility with MariaDB 11.7 or later

Q: What are the limitations of the MyVector plugin on MariaDB?

A: The MyVector plugin has several limitations, including:

Requires explicit syntax for ANN search queries
Does not leverage MariaDB's query rewrite feature
May require modifications to the plugin code for optimal performance

Q: Can I use the MyVector plugin with other MariaDB features?

A: Yes, you can use the MyVector plugin with other MariaDB features, such as full-text search or spatial indexing. However, you may need to modify the plugin code to accommodate these features.

Q: How do I troubleshoot issues with the MyVector plugin on MariaDB?

A: To troubleshoot issues with the MyVector plugin on MariaDB, follow these steps:

Check the plugin's error logs for any issues
Verify that the plugin is installed and loaded correctly
Consult the plugin's documentation for troubleshooting tips

Conclusion

In this article, we addressed some of the most frequently asked questions about the MyVector plugin for MariaDB. We hope that this information has been helpful in understanding the plugin's functionality, installation, and usage. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us.