| MySQL is the most widely used database | | | | article will discuss MySQL5. |
| management language. With MySQL even | | | | MySQL can run on old computers. For example, I |
| inexperienced programmers can create and | | | | downloaded MySQL, copied it to a USB pen drive, |
| modify databases consisting of multiple tables. For | | | | and then copied the files, less than 60 Megabytes, |
| example, a database for a personnel-staffing | | | | into a Pentium computer purchased new in |
| organization might contain several tables including a | | | | August, 1999. I couldn't run MySQL under |
| table of available jobs, a table of available | | | | Windows 98 because the system didn't recognize |
| employers, and a table of staffing consultants. | | | | my USB drive. But I ran MySQL under Windows |
| Databases that drive real-life applications often | | | | 2000 on this computer, which had an Internet |
| consist of dozens and dozens of interrelated | | | | browser but no live Internet connection. Moral of |
| tables. MySQL does what it takes to generate | | | | the story: You can do MySQL even on outdated |
| such databases and manage them efficiently. | | | | computers. |
| Combined with PHP and Apache or alternative | | | | So you can do MySQL. Why do MySQL? First of |
| software MySQL runs on the Internet. The | | | | all, it is open source. Free. Why pay big bucks for |
| personnel staffing organization could provide many | | | | Microsoft or other competitive products? You |
| of its services on the Internet relying on MySQL. | | | | won't be alone in this decision; MySQL and its |
| Don't let anyone tell you that learning MySQL is a | | | | friends are the most popular kids on the block. |
| piece of cake. Like any other programming | | | | And it's popular with a wide range of users from |
| language, mastering MySQL is not a simple task. | | | | strict beginners to hard-nosed professionals |
| In spite of promises that abound, you won't | | | | whose careers depend on performance. MySQL4 |
| become a master in 48 hours. Furthermore, most | | | | provides all the functionality needed to develop a |
| MySQL solutions also involve PHP. So let's take a | | | | wide range of small to medium database |
| closer look at why you should make the | | | | management applications. |
| commitment to learn MySQL. But first a word of | | | | MySQL is fast and flexible. Many claim that for |
| encouragement, you won't have to master this | | | | technical reasons it runs faster than its |
| extensive language to see the benefits. | | | | competitors including the Microsoft offerings. |
| Let's look briefly at what you need to develop | | | | MySQL programs can be moved from the |
| and test MySQL programs. After all, you can't | | | | Windows environment to the Linux environment |
| learn to program without running and debugging | | | | and still run. Word to the wise: If you are ever |
| (finding the errors in) real programs. The good | | | | thinking of going Linux make sure to pay strict |
| news is that MySQL is free. You can download it | | | | attention to capitalization. Linux treats File1 and |
| along with other useful applications for free. We | | | | file1 as two different files while Windows treats |
| recommend that you start with MySQL4 unless | | | | them as the same file. If you are totally strict in |
| you are an experienced programmer. Later on | | | | the use of lower-case and capital letters, it's very |
| you can move up to MySQL5. The rest of this | | | | easy to move your web pages from Windows to |
| article talks mostly about MySQL4. A companion | | | | Linux servers. |