[development] mysql merge tables and partitioning

[Karoly Negyesi]

> >
> > What killes found was merge tables. This will work on all Drupal
> > supported MySQL versions.
> 
> I talked to a MySQL employee and merge tables will probably  
> disappear.  They are deprecated by the partitioning.

Yes, but we will require only MySQL 4.1 for Drupal 6  (EOL: 2006-12-31). MySQL 5 EOL is not yet known but it's safe to presume that Drupal 7 will run on MySQL 5.

So, if it's "only" for the next two years, I vote on the MERGE tables. And, it may be three years, anyways.