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MySQL
MySQL is a DataBase Management System (DBMS) designed for use on small to medium sized Web
sites. MySQL is not the database itself, it is the software that interacts with
it.
When you apply for a MySQL database, you have a database set up for you, and are given access to
the software to interact with it. The database is at this point completely empty of data.
Unless you have, or intend to have, a large amount of data to store and/or manipulate, this
technology is not going to be very useful to you.
If on the other hand you are planning to run a relatively large site or a busy forum, MySQL is
likely to make things a lot simpler and easier for you (eventually).
Considerations
MySQL is a database system, so it will need to be used in conjunction with either Perl or PHP to
actually do anything. It will however make both of those quicker compared to using
flat text files to hold data.
Advantages
- Speed
- Flexibility
- Designed specifically for Web database use
- Unaffected by the 1000 file limit on the CGI-BIN
- It is an established technology (circa 1995)
Disadvantages
- Pages that use it must be on the CGI-BIN server
- The learning curve can be steep
- Needs additional software to be of real use
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