What is MySQL?

MySQL is a database system used on the web. Basically, a MySQL database allows you to create a relational database structure on a web-server somewhere in order to store data or automate procedures. If you think of it in comparison to Microsoft Access, MySQL is what holds all of your tables, PHP acts as your queries (among other things), and your forms are basically web pages with fields in them.

With all of this combined, you can create truly spectacular projects on the web.

MySQL is also open source in that it’s free and falls under the GNU General Public License (GPL). Chances are, if you are getting your own web-page or already have one – your host supports MySQL and PHP. They are generally associated with (though not limited to) Unix/Linux based servers. If by chance you are considering getting your own page and want MySQL and PHP support, check out Dreamhost – I’ve been using them for years and they absolutely can’t be beat.

Interacting with a MySQL database is a little weird as you don’t have the tried and true WYSIWYG interface that something as easy as Microsoft Access affords. When creating tables, you’ll either have to create them by using SQL Statements, or by using another open-source tool available online called PHPMyAdmin. PHPMyAdmin gives you an easy-to-use interface that allows you to create tables and run queries by filling in a little bit of information and then having the tables created for you. This is good if you’re either lazy, or don’t feel like bothering with big and complicated SQL Statements.

MySQL Features:

1. MySQL are very fast and much reliable for any type of application.
2. MySQL is very Lightweight application.
3. MySQL command line tool is very powerful and can be used to run SQL queries against database.
4. MySQL Supports indexing and binary objects.
5. It is allow changes to structure of  table while server is running.
6. MySQL has a wide user base.
7. It is a very fast thread-based memory allocation system.
8. MySQL Written in C and C++ language.
9. MySQL code is tested with different compilers.
10. MySQL is available as a separate program for use in a client/server network environment.
11. The MySQL available for the most Unix operating platform.
12. MySQL are the available for window operating system window NT, window 95 ,and window 98.
13. MySQL available for OS/2.
14. Programming libraries for C, Python, PHP, Java , Delphi etc. are available to connect to MySQL database.

MySQL Advantages:
Reliability and Performance, MySQL is very reliable and high performance relational database management system. It can used to store many GB's of data into database.