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MySQL.overview
A database is a structure that comes in two flavors: a flat database and a relational database. A relational database is much more oriented to the human mind and is often preferred over the flat database. MySQL is a relational database.
In a relational structured database there are tables that store data. Each table is made up of columns and rows. A table's columns define what kind of information is going to be stored. You need an individual column for each type of information you wished to store (i.e. Age, Weight, Height). While columns define what kind of information is going to be stored, a row is the actual data that is stored. Each table row is an entry of that table and contains values for each of the table's columns (i.e. Entry Bob: 65 years old, 165 lbs, and 6'2").
MYSQL is essentially an SQL Server - it responds to requests for information that are written in SQL. You can communicate with MYSQL using a wide variety of programming languages (PHP being the most common). MYSQL is open source software and generally free to use. SQL stands for Structured Query Language. It is the most common language used for accessing a database, and has been in use for many years. SQL is a language which consists of a set of commands that allow you to create, make changes to, and retrieve data from a database.
For Example: Create table phonebook( ID char(5) Name char(50) telephone char(11) );
This creates a new table in your database named phonebook that has three fields, ID, Name, and Telephone, which are character strings of length 5, 50, and 11 respectively.
To allow access to your database through your web site, you will need to create CGI scripts. These scripts are small computer programs which run on the web hosting server and are activated by clicking on a link or a button in a web page. Most hosting companies have CGI scripts that you can use. Using CGI scripts and MYSQL you can maintain account information on visitors, allow people to search and browse catalogs, and much more.
Learn how to install MYSQL with Apache and PHP in Windows.
More MySQL Tutorials