By itself, a database offers little value. Even a database such as MySQL, capable of storing several terabytes of data, does little good if the data cannot be quickly searched, retrieved, and manipulated. For the database to be of any value, you must create a database application that is capable of communicating with the database.

Using a scripting language, such as PHP or Perl, we can create a Web database application, or front-end, for use with your MySQL database. PHP issues commands to the MySQL server, which runs constantly, listening for commands and then manipulating the database accordingly, much like a Web server.

Therefore, PHP (or Perl) provides the application component, and MySQL provides the database component, giving you a solid Web database application.

• What is mySQL?
• The benefits of mySQL
• Putting mySQL to work: Web Database Applications