Accessing a [MySQL] database from another website. Bad practice?

[MikeMumps]

Hello everyone,

I would like to use a mysql database to store data that would be dynamically loaded into a flash website. The problem is that my client's website does not have MySQL activated, and I'd like to avoid the higher cost. I have MySQL installed on my personal web host's server and am wondering if it is a terrible idea to create the database on my server and have the client's site access it from a different host/server.

I'm new to MySQL, and am mainly concerned that this may cause some strange connection errors. Security is not a cause for concern, and the database would not be very complex.

Thanks!
Mike

PS. The site that would be accessing the database is www.warrenlinn.com

[bwh2]

why don't you use an xml file on your client's server?

[hl]

Flatfile database would work too. (If you want some extra PHP practice alongside the flash).

[MikeMumps]

Hi and thanks for the replies. I am currently using a *.txt file with image information (filenames, sizes, descriptions, location) that is loaded into the flash and then parsed. It's a pain when I need to move images around because there are a lot of them, and there are only going to be more.

I wanted to use the MySQL database because I like how easy it is to manage the database content.

I know XML, but have yet to learn how to load it into Flash. I need to find a good tutorial on loading and parsing XML in Flash.

I suppose it's time to hit the books then.

Thanks for the responses!

-Mike