March 20, 2011

What is MySQL and How Do I Use It?

Many current websites operate differently than a static webpage you may be used to seeing on many free website sites. A static webpage is one that has all the information stored on the code for the page itself but more dynamic and active pages all use database driven information stored in a SQL database.

An SQL database is a collection of data that is called upon by the code of a webpage and the needed information is placed on the page dynamically. This means the page is easily updated through a separate interface, usually an admin panel and added into the database. When it is needed, it is pulled up separately from everything else and displayed.

Normally it is called MySQL and you can find it in the control panel for your web hosting service. Now, if you don't know how to use MySQL that's okay because most website packages that use SQL databases will do all the work for you in creating and setting up the database information.

The most common website that uses SQL databases are blogs. If you have ever used a blog you will understand this. The site is a static design layout that is completely devoid of information until you go into the admin section as add a post. That post information is stored in a SQL database table until it is needed.

Once you publish that post, it will appear on the page. Now, the great thing about this is that if you have a problem with the site itself and it gets all messed up, your content is safe because it is stored somewhere completely different from the code for the site. You can back up the database so you have a copy if something happens to it.

If you don't know how to manually change tables or information in the SQL database that's fine, you should just stay out of it. The website programs will have ways to optimize the database as well as back it up for you.

So, if you are looking for web hosting, make sure your package includes an SQL database and that it is the most recent version of MySQL. If you aren't sure, ask a site representative and they can let you know which version it uses.

Mark

• Mark at 10:52 PM
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March 20, 2011

The Top Three

Many current websites operate differently than a static webpage you may be used to seeing on many free website sites. A static webpage is one that has all the information stored on the code for the page itself but more dynamic and active pages all use database driven information stored in a SQL database.

An SQL database is a collection of data that is called upon by the code of a webpage and the needed information is placed on the page dynamically. This means the page is easily updated through a separate interface, usually an admin panel and added into the database. When it is needed, it is pulled up separately from everything else and displayed.

Normally it is called MySQL and you can find it in the control panel for your web hosting service. Now, if you don't know how to use MySQL that's okay because most website packages that use SQL databases will do all the work for you in creating and setting up the database information.

The most common website that uses SQL databases are blogs. If you have ever used a blog you will understand this. The site is a static design layout that is completely devoid of information until you go into the admin section as add a post. That post information is stored in a SQL database table until it is needed.

Once you publish that post, it will appear on the page. Now, the great thing about this is that if you have a problem with the site itself and it gets all messed up, your content is safe because it is stored somewhere completely different from the code for the site. You can back up the database so you have a copy if something happens to it.

If you don't know how to manually change tables or information in the SQL database that's fine, you should just stay out of it. The website programs will have ways to optimize the database as well as back it up for you.

So, if you are looking for web hosting, make sure your package includes an SQL database and that it is the most recent version of MySQL. If you aren't sure, ask a site representative and they can let you know which version it uses.

Mark

• Mark at 10:52 PM
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• Comments (0)
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