Web Hosting Glossary

mySQL

SQL refers to the Structured Query Language (a database language). And a SQL server provides storage and access to the SQL database.

mySQL is the open source version of SQL. This open source status allows mySQL to be used fully by websites without any licensing fees. It's basically free.

mySQL is useful for storage of data that are required for interaction with web visitors. Rather than storing data in a flat file as CGI or Perl normally does, mySQL stores the data within a multi-thread, multi-user SQL database.

The main advantage of mySQL over flat file database is that if offers much better scalability. Flat file database can only be accessed simultaneously by 1 user while mySQL can be accessed by many users.

In addition, flat file databases become very slow and unresponsive once they grow beyond a certain file size. mySQL does not have that problem.

A combination of PHP and mySQL is commonly used on most websites.

Most web hosting companies provide use of mySQL with their under $10 accounts. However, if you're looking at a low cost web hosting plan (under $6.00), sometimes they may not offer mySQL.