MySQL is an open-source relational database management system. The document demonstrates how to create and manage a MySQL database called "college" including creating tables, inserting records, updating records, extracting records with conditions, and deleting tables and users. The key steps shown are:
1. The root user creates a database called "college" and a user called "test" who is given access to that database.
2. The test user logs in and creates a table called "staff_register" with fields to store staff details. Records are inserted and updated.
3. Records can be extracted using conditions and the LIKE operator. Tables and users can also be deleted.