MySQL Web Hosting- MySQL hosting is a popular option, and nearly all hosting plans offer MySQL. This article reviews the basics of MySQL web hosting. In addition to that we tell you what is MySQL web hosting, and show you who has the best MySQL hosting.

What Is MySQL?

MySQL (officially pronounced "My S-Q-L," although some people say "My Sequel"), was developed by Michael Widenius, who named his Structured Query Language (SQL) after his daughter, My. MySQL is the most commonly offered database in a survey of web hosting plans, and was used to develop many popular and highly trafficked websites, such as Facebook, Flickr, Google, Wikipedia, and YouTube.

MySQL is classified as an RDBMS; a Relational Database Management System, and is both free and open source, offered under a GNU General Public license, although proprietary versions are available. The fact that it is available as open source software means that its source code may be viewed by the user, as well as modified for the user's purposes, as long as the user makes the modifications freely available to others under a similar license.

One of the key things to know about MySQL is that it has become an important element of a number of software packages. Used in combination with Apache and one or more of the three scripting languages that start with P (Python, PHP, and Perl), MySQL forms a key component of BAMP when combined with Berkeley Software Distribution, DAMP, when used with the Darwin OS, LAMP in conjunction with a Linux distribution, MAMP when used with Macintosh OS, SAMP, with Sun Solaris, or WAMP with Microsoft Windows. Used with Microsoft Windows, IIS (Internet Information Services), and one or more of the P scripting languages, it is referred to as WIMP.

MySQL vs. Other Databases

MySQL is not the only database available. There is, for example, MSSQL, a proprietary SQL version from Microsoft. In comparing the two, consider that MSSQL only works with Windows servers and that, as proprietary software a webhost must license it. Additionally, because of the licensing fees for Windows and MSSQL, webhosting using this combination is almost always more expensive than Linux hosting with MySQL. One might also consider other open source databases, but in doing so, one should remember that as the most widely used database software, MySQL will be easiest to find, give you the most choices of hosting, and be the best supported.

Choosing MySQL Web Hosting

If you are considering MySQL web hosting, there are several features of the hosting package that you should be sure to check. First, see how many MySQL databases are permitted (the number ranges from zero to unlimited), and whether or not there is a size limitation on each database. Also check what access methods are available for your databases. Often, there is a MySQL control panel, but its features may vary with your webhost, and other access methods through scripting languages may be available, depending on the level of hosting you select. Another web hosting feature to be sure to review is the frequency of backups and restore capability. Finally, as for all web hosting, check for an uptime guarantee, 24/7/365 tech support, and other basic good hosting features.

So who offers the best MySQL web hosting?

There are a lot of cheap web hosting companies out there that we think offer the best MySQL web hosting. Here are some of them for you to look at.

BlueHost $4.95 a month

iPage $4.25 a month

GreenGeeks $4.95 a month