php - Can MySQL seamlessly be replaced with MariaDB or are there things to change in this case?

Question

If I replace a MySQL 5.1 server with a MariaDB Server (Maria & XtraDB storages) instead of MySQL (MyISAM & InnoDB), will most of MySQL client software (incl. applications made with PHP 5.2 and Java SE 1.6) ...

1. just remain working without any changes (with minor regressions maybe)?
2. Or will I have to replace/reconfigure client drivers (like use another JDBC driver class and connection string)?
3. Or will I have even to change application code?

Answer 1

http://kb.askmonty.org/v/mariadb-versus-mysql

All MySQL connectors (PHP, Perl, Python, Java, MyODBC, Ruby, MySQL C connector etc) works unchanged with MariaDB.