What is MySQL replication and when should you use it?

MySQL replication is a process that synchronizes multiple MySQL servers to keep them in sync. It allows for improved performance and scalability by distributing workload across multiple servers. This can be achieved through various use cases such as read-only connections, backups, analytical workloads, high availability, and planned upgrades. By configuring replicas of the database, changes made to the primary server are also replicated to the replicas, ensuring that data remains consistent across all servers. This approach enables better performance, reduces downtime, and simplifies maintenance tasks.