MySQL

A brief introduction

What is MySQL?

MySQL, pronounced either "My S-Q-L" or "My Sequel," is a relational database management system. It is based on the structure query language (SQL), which is used for adding, removing, and modifying information in the database. Standard SQL commands, such as ADD, DROP, INSERT, and UPDATE can be used with MySQL.

MySQL can be used for a variety of applications: it can store many types of data from something as tiny as a single character to as large as complete files or graphics . It is most commonly found on Web servers: information stored in a MySQL database hosted on a Web server can be accessed from anywhere in the world with a computer. This makes it a good way to store information that needs the ability to change over time, but also needs to be accessed over the net. Some examples that can utilize MySQL are a web message board or a customer's shipping status.

Many database-driven websites that use MySQL also use a Web scripting language like PHP to access information from the database. MySQL commands can be incorporated into the PHP code, allowing part or all of a Web page to be generated from database information: the PHP/MySQL combination has become a popular choice for database-driven websites.

What type of information is suitable for a database?

In some ways, any information store would be suitable for a database, but there are some things that are better suited than others:

• Address and phone lists.
• Product inventories.
• Lists of information.
• Price lists.

All of these types of information can be displayed on a static Web site, and if you have a small amount of information, a static page can be the easiest way to to display it. But if you have a large amount of information, or you want to display the same elements in multiple places, a database makes it much easier.