MySQL is the world's most widely used database management system.
You don't have to be a seasoned programmer to use MySQL on its own or as part of dynamic web sites for a very wide variety of database applications.
This article introduces MySQL and the other LAMP components.
First we will briefly present the history of MySQL.
SQL stands for Structured Query Language.
This language dates back to 1970 in a paper written by Dr.
E.
F.
Codd, researcher at IBM.
This ground-breaking paper described the theoretical foundations of relational databases, databases that are based on tables.
Oracle Corporation beat IBM to the punch by bringing the first such database management system to market in 1979.
MySQL was released for Windows computers almost twenty years later.
Over the years MySQL has evolved to become a major player in the very competitive SQL market for database management systems of all sizes.
MySQL belongs to the LAMP suite of free software known as open-source.
The L refers to Linux, which is a Unix-based operating system that competes head to head with Microsoft Windows.
If you want to run LAMP on Windows computers you must do two separate downloads, one for Linux and another such as downloading Easy PHP to obtain the remaining LAMP components.
You may execute these three components on almost any Windows computer, even one that seemed way over the hill.
Testing your web programs requires a browser such as Firefox or Internet Explorer but does not require a live Internet connection.
The A in LAMP stands for Apache which is the most widely used web server in the world.
You can run Apache with MySQL and PHP, and test your programs in a live environment on a single computer.
PHP is a server-based program, it runs under Apache.
The good news is that you only require a single computer to run PHP and develop and test your website.
Of course for other people to access your website you will need to host the site on the Web.
This means naming your site and dealing with a web-hosting company.
You must shell out for your site name and usually for a company to host your domain.
The web hosting company may charge extra for Linux and MySQL services and support.
Many webmasters claim that Linux offers a more professional environment than does Windows.
Others prefer the more familiar Microsoft Windows.
It will be your choice.