Description: The storage engine in MariaDB refers to the technology that manages how data is stored, retrieved, and manipulated in database tables. Each storage engine has specific characteristics that determine its performance, data integrity, and functionality. MariaDB, a relational database management system, offers several storage engines, with InnoDB being the most widely used due to its support for transactions, row-level locking, and crash recovery. Other engines, such as MyISAM, are known for their speed in read operations but lack transaction support. Choosing the right storage engine is crucial for optimizing database performance and meeting the specific needs of the applications that use it. Additionally, storage engines can influence scalability and the ability to handle large volumes of data, which is essential in various environments, including enterprise and web applications. In summary, the storage engine is a fundamental component in database architecture, as it determines how data is managed and directly affects the efficiency and functionality of the database management system.