SQL???

[Jt_01]

Hi,

I'm programming a site that will need to read and write to a database. The traffic could be light to medium.

I've traditionally done this via an access database, but I have read a little about SQL databases, and their advantages, but I am confused.

Essentially I don't know what SQL databases are, do you create/edit them via a program like access? Are they more difficut to implement? Is it worth the trouble compared to access?

Thanks for any advice.
:)

[Templarian]

http://www.freewebmasterhelp.com/tutorials/phpmysql/1

Probably skip the first page. I learned mysql from that tutorial. After a while it becomes just copying and pasting from your old projects and goes a lot faster.

Note: some servers don't have their mysql databases on their local servers so the normal localhost wont work but you can see this when you set up your database. 1and1.com hosting is one that uses off mysql hosting.

[noTime]

You are lucky, if you have PHPMyAdmin installed, Temp. Nevertheless, a majority of shared hosting servers have MySQL or PostgreSQL with some DB tools. Clients for connecting to MySQL databases are also available (I just don't use them).

Oh, and MySQL is always a better solution, mainly because of speed. ;)

[bwh2]

if you're going to be doing any serious database work, you need to stop using access. so here's the terminology in short:

SQL - Structured Query Language. a language used to access data in a database management system. there are several variations of the SQL language. these variations add features and functions to SQL. SQL is just the base.
DBMS - Database Management System. holds data. examples: mysql, mssql, ms access.

that being said, i'll go on a short rant. Access is slow and weak. mysql and mssql are fast and powerful. sure, you can use SQL with access but the query speeds are just obnoxiously slow. people use it because it's GUI. mysql is a much better open source DBMS option. mssql isn't free, but it's also great. my advice is to use mysql.

many web developers (including myself) like using phpMyAdmin to control their mysql databases. it's a solid GUI administration panel written in PHP.

[Templarian]

You are lucky, if you have PHPMyAdmin installed, Temp. Nevertheless...

All major hosting use PHPMyAdmin so its usually pretty standard.

Mysql isn't really that fast... its nice if you have a fast server, but nokrev can back me up on this there are faster opensource ways of storing data (MySQL is just much easier to find).

[bwh2]

Mysql isn't really that fast... its nice if you have a fast server, but nokrev can back me up on this there are faster opensource ways of storing data (MySQL is just much easier to find).can you give me some examples?