|
What is PHP / MySQL?
One of the most popular combinations in the open source arena today is the
PHP / MySQL combination. PHP is one of the most popular scripting /
programming language for web development. It is flexible, scalable and easy
to program in. MySQL like PHP is fast and reliable database management
system that is in use today mostly for building web application..
By using PHP and
MySQL together, users can benefit from the cost savings that
accompany community-driven (Open Source) software.
PHP and MySQL
together can be used to build applications such as:
-
User
authentication and personalization
-
-
Content
management systems
-
-
-
-
Now, let’s take a
closer look at each of these powerful technologies.
MySQL is a
relational database management system (RDBMS) in the same class with
Oracle, MS-SQL, Informix and the likes. People often use the two
terms database management system (DBMS) and database to mean the
same thing. In reality, a database management system (DBMS) refers
to the system that manages the affairs of the database while a
database is used to efficiently store, search, sort and retrieve
inter-related data.
MySQL is available
under an Open Source License, but commercial licenses are also
available if required. Just like every other RDBMS systems, you use
Structured Query Language (SQL) to communicate with MySQL. The
current MySQL version is MySQL version 5.
-
Performance:
MySQL is a very fast relational database management system.
-
Low Cost: MySQL
is available at no cost, under an Open Source license, or at low
cost under a commercial license if required for your
application.
-
Ease of Use:
MySQL is easier to setup than many similar products. If you have
used another RDBMS, you should have no trouble adapting to
MySQL.
-
Portability:
MySQL can be used on many different UNIX systems as well as
under Microsoft Windows.
-
Source Code: As
with PHP, you can obtain and modify the source code for MySQL.
PHP is a server-side
scripting language designed for the Web. PHP was conceived in 1994
by Rasmus Lerdorf. PHP originally stood for Personal Home Page but
was changed by GNU(GNU’s Not Unix) and now stands for PHP Hypertext
Preprocessor. The current version of PHP is PHP version 5.
PHP can be used to
provide connectivity between the client and the server. It also
allows us to create dynamic pages and not just static HTML files.
PHP can also be used for database connectivity by connecting to the
PHP server and the database server.
Why do you need PHP?
If you have built web sites using plain HTML, you will realize the
limitations of this approach. Users can’t interact with the site in
any meaningful fashion.
Using a language such as PHP and a database such as MySQl allows you
to make your site dynamic and you can have them be customizable and
contain real-time information.
-
Cost: PHP is
free. You can download the latest version from www.php.net for
no charge
-
Scripting /
Programming language (“C - Like”) – If you already know C or
Perl, or a C-like language such as C++ or Java, you will be
productive using PHP almost immediately
-
Portability :
PHP is available for many different operating systems. You can
write PHP code on the free UNIX like operating systems such as
Linux and FreeBSD, commercial UNIX versions such as Solaris and
IRIX, or on different versions of Microsoft Windows. Your code
will usually work without modification on a different system
running PHP
-
Source Code
Availability: You have access to the source code of PHP. Unlike
commercial, closed-source products, if there is something you
want modified or added to the language, you are free to do so
without having to wait for the manufacturer
-
Performance: PHP
is very efficient. Using a single inexpensive server, you can
serve millions of hits per day
-
Database
Integration: PHP has native connections available to many
database systems. In addition to MySQL, you can directly connect
to PostgreSQL, mSQL, Oracle, Informix, InterBase, and dbm
databases among others
-
PHP is all about
community: keep in mind that you are not alone when using PHP.
You going to be able to download readymade open source solutions
free of charge from the internet and extend them and also learn
from them as you deem fit.
When setting out to
build a dynamic website, there are many different products that you
could use.
You will need to choose hardware for the Web server, an operating
system, Web server software, a database management system, and a
programming or scripting language.
Some of these choices will be dependent on the others. For example,
not all operating systems will run on all hardware, not all
scripting languages can connect to all databases, and so on.
However, one of the
nice features of PHP and MySQL is that they are available for
Microsoft Windows, for many versions of UNIX, and with any
fully-functional Web server. In view of this and the issues
mentioned earlier, it makes sense to consider the use of PHP and
MySQL regardless of your hardware, operating system, and Web
server..
Kazeem Adegboyega
Kazeem Adegboyega, a
Jidaw Alumni, is the CEO of The Ikons Systems Limited, a company
specializing in IT training, Networking & Security Integration, Web
solutions, and Support & Technical Outsourcing services. He is also one
of the consultants and trainers that work with Jidaw to provide
technical IT training and Certification programs.
What
Do you Have to Say? Post
Your Comments about this article Here
COMMENTS
for "What
is PHP / MySQL?":
|
July 20, 2009
Chima I of Enugu,
Nigeria says:
|
A great exposition. Please keep on
giving us such enlightenment. I thank Kazeem and the Jidaw team.
Expect me soon. I can't be left behind. |
MORE ...For more coverage and information related to this topic, head to the
IT Career Resource Center
or better still attend the next FREE IT Career
Seminar.. and Get More Tips and Insights:
Your Guide to taking the Right IT Career Decisions
Spread The Word
Page Top
|
The one and only IT Entrepreneur Guide - get the Best Job in IT
Subscribe to the FREE IT Career Newsletter
with valuable information bringing you practical, how-to
tips and articles.
Subscribe to the FREE IT Career Newsletter
with valuable information bringing you practical, how-to
tips and articles.
Requirements of Internship (Industrial Attachment)
FREE Information
Technology Career and Certification Seminar
Jobs
in Nigeria and Career Opportunities
in Nigeria Resource
Follow
us on Twitter
Join us on Facebook
To
DBA Or Not To DBA
|
Stumble It!