Look in VARIABLES for aria_block_size. Its existence almost certainly implies some version of MariaDB and not MySQL, nor Percona. (At least for the near future.)
The beginning part of version:
- "5.7" and "8.0" Imply MySQL or Percona; it will not imply MariaDB.
- "10.2" Implies MariaDB; it is unlikely for MySQL and Percona to get to "10" for a long time.
What feature are you needing? There is a chance that Percona will retrofit something from MariaDB 10.2 before it comes from MySQL.
Even when version is 5.1.53-rel11.7-log or 5.5.35-0ubuntu0.12.04.2-log, the first part gives you the important part of the MySQL/MariaDB/Percona version.
Percona versions look like: 5.5.31-30.3-log, 5.6.30-76.3-56-log, 5.6.19-67.0-log -- Note the extra 2 or 3 numbers after the initial 3.
MariaDB always starts with N.N.N-MariaDB
Oracle's MySQL starts with N.N.N, but might continue with -enterprise (paid version), -community (free version), -0ubuntu0 (ported by Ubuntu), -Debian, etc.
MariaDB: 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 10.0, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5
Oracle and Percona: 5.1, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 8.0
The 8.0 cycle is just beginning. This means that 5.6 will soon be closing down and 5.7 has some life left, but not much new will be but in it.
Clarification of what is a "major" release.
For MySQL (and Percona), these are "major", and they are not
consecutive': 5.1, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 8.0.
For MariaDB: 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 10.0, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5.