MySQL Database

What is MySQL?

• MySQL is a web-based database system.
• It operates on a server.
• It is suitable for applications of all sizes.
• It is known for being fast, reliable, and user-friendly.
• It uses standard SQL.
• It is compatible with various platforms.
• It is free to download and use.
• Oracle Corporation develops, distributes, and supports MySQL.
• The name “MySQL” comes from co-founder Monty Widenius’s daughter, My.

  Data in a MySQL database are stored in tables, which are collections of related data organized into columns and rows.

  Databases are useful for categorically storing information. For example, a company might have a database containing the following tables:

  • Employees
  • Products
  • Customers
  • Orders

  PHP + MySQL Database System

• PHP combined with MySQL is cross-platform, allowing you to develop on Windows and serve on a Unix platform.
  

  Database Queries

  A query is a question or a request for information.

  We can query a database to retrieve specific information, resulting in a recordset.

  Consider the following query (using standard SQL):

  SELECT LastName FROM Employees

  The above query retrieves all the data from the “LastName” column in the “Employees” table.

  Download MySQL Database

  If you don’t have a PHP server with a MySQL database, you can download both for free from http://www.mysql.com.

  Facts About MySQL Database

  MySQL is the de facto standard database system for websites with massive amounts of data and large numbers of users, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Wikipedia.

  Additionally, MySQL is highly versatile and can be scaled down to support embedded database applications.