MySQL Provides a Simple and Powerful Database Solution
When using a cloud server, chances are you will will need to set up a database, which provides the ability to easily save and store data for use in dynamic websites and applications. One such database you can use is MySQL.
MySQL is an easy-to-set-up database that is very scalable. MySQL can really fit any need, big or small, and has resources available, so users can easily learn syntax, set-up replication, and more.
Offering solid performance and security, MySQL is a great fit for any user. MySQL is popular and important enough that it stands for the “M” in the commonly seen LAMP- and LEMP-stack abbreviations.
MySQL uses the language SQL, also known as Structured Query Language. Queries and expressions are written to carry out functions that will control the data or analyze it using a set of operators. While other database alternatives such as PostgreSQL also use SQL, they are structured and recall data differently.
A relational database management system, like MySQL, can assist you in organizing data to use in your website and in performing near limitless functions and analysis to better control your data set. You can store anything from simple numbers and strings to entire bodies of text that make up your website.
Using code, you can create tables within databases to store information. Here is an example of creating a phonebook of employee information:
Then, you can create queries similarly to retrieve data:
The above examples demonstrate that database queries can be performed through visual managers, or you can perform these tasks directly from the command line in your server. Flex your creativity when organizing your data among different tables, and then create queries to retrieve results from many different sources at once.
Learning to take manual control of a relational database management system and creating your own queries can be a rewarding experience and help you get the most out of your server. In fact, you may already be using an RDBMS without realizing it! Whether or not that’s the case, you can learn how to install MySQL and start coding in SQL by using one of our many guides available here.
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