Installing MariaDB as MySQL replacement
We will install MariaDB instead of MySQL. MariaDB is a MySQL fork
maintained by the original MySQL developer Monty Widenius. MariaDB is
compatible with MySQL and provides interesting new features and speed
improvements when compared to MySQL. Run the following command to
install MariaDB-server and client:
Installing MariaDB as MySQL replacement
We will install MariaDB instead of MySQL. MariaDB is a MySQL fork
maintained by the original MySQL developer Monty Widenius. MariaDB is
compatible with MySQL and provides interesting new features and speed
improvements when compared to MySQL. Run the following command to
install MariaDB-server and client:
apt-get -y install mariadb-server mariadb-client
Now we set a root password for MariaDB.
mysql_secure_installation
You will be asked these questions:
Enter current password for root (enter for none): <-- press enter
Set root password? [Y/n] <-- y
New password: <-- Enter the new MariaDB root password here
Re-enter new password: <-- Repeat the password
Remove anonymous users? [Y/n] <-- y
Disallow root login remotely? [Y/n] <-- y
Reload privilege tables now? [Y/n] <-- y
Test the login to MariaDB with the "mysql command"
mysql -u root -p
and enter the MariaDB root password that you've set above. The result should be similar to the screenshot below:

To leave the MariaDB shell, enter the command "quit" and press enter.