| MySQL is the most widely used database | | | | even one that seemed ready for the garbage |
| management system. Even relatively | | | | heap. To test your web programs you need a |
| inexperienced people can use this software on its | | | | browser such as Internet Explorer or Firefox but |
| own or as part of dynamic web sites for virtually | | | | you don't need a live Internet connection. |
| any database application under the Sun (this is an | | | | The A in LAMP stands for Apache. Apache is the |
| inside joke which will be explained below.) This | | | | most widely used web server. You can run |
| article introduces MySQL and its companions. First | | | | Apache alongside MySQL and PHP and test your |
| we will discuss a bit of its history. | | | | programs in a live environment. |
| SQL stands for Structured Query Language. This | | | | The M in LAMP stands for MySQL, the most |
| language dates back to 1970 in a paper written | | | | widely used database management system. Sun |
| by Dr. E. F. Codd, researcher at IBM. This | | | | Microsystems recently purchased MySQL for an |
| ground-breaking paper described the theoretical | | | | amount exceeding one billion dollars. But don't |
| foundations of relational databases, databases that | | | | worry; this product remains free of cost for small |
| are based on tables. Oracle Corporation beat IBM | | | | and medium-sized systems. When your system |
| to the punch by bringing the first such database | | | | gets big enough, you won't mind paying the |
| management system to market in 1979. MySQL | | | | relatively small cost of the professional version. |
| was released for Windows computers almost | | | | PHP runs on the server, the computer managed |
| twenty years later. Over the years this product | | | | by Apache. Let me remind you that you don't |
| has evolved significantly and become a major | | | | need two computers to run PHP and develop and |
| player in the very competitive SQL market for | | | | test your website. When you want other people |
| database management systems of all sizes. | | | | to access your website you will have to host the |
| MySQL is part of the LAMP suite of open-source | | | | site on the Web. This means naming your site and |
| (free software). The L stands for Linux, a | | | | dealing with a web-hosting company. You will have |
| Unix-based operating system that directly | | | | to pay for your site name and in most cases you |
| competes with Microsoft Windows. To run LAMP | | | | also pay for hosting your domain. The web |
| on Windows computers you will perform two | | | | hosting company may charge extra for Linux and |
| separate downloads, one for Linux and one for | | | | MySQL services and support. Many webmasters |
| Easy PHP encompassing the remaining LAMP | | | | feel that Linux offers a more professional |
| components. You can run these three | | | | environment. Others prefer the more familiar |
| components on virtually any Windows computer, | | | | Microsoft Windows. It will be your choice. |