Comparing Web Hosting with MySQL Databases UK

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Web Hosting with MySQL Database Comparison

Most Content Management Systems (CMS) use databases in MySQL or MariaDB as standard and only use other formats like PostgreSQL or SQLite upon explicit request from the administrator. The combination of a Windows or Linux server, Apache 2, MySQL or MariaDB, and PHP as the script interpreter has long been the basic configuration for running a dynamic website, often referred to as WAMP or LAMP based on the initials of its components. This has led to the fact that web hosting typically includes access to one or more databases.

What are the characteristics of databases in MySQL?

Both MySQL and MariaDB are relational database management systems (DBMS) composed of a server and one or more clients. It is only in exceptional cases that it is used as an embedded DBMS without external software - in CMS and other web hosting applications, applications for various reasons opt for a compatible environment instead of such integration. Since its first public version 3.1, the DBMS has evolved into the most popular choice for databases in dynamic websites. This is due in part to its high speed and stability, which allowed queries to be processed much faster and more reliably than most competing formats around the turn of the millennium.

What are the differences between MySQL and MariaDB?

Until 2008, the development of the MySQL database was managed by the company MySQLAB. Since 2010, MySQL has been owned by Oracle Corporation and comes in a free version as well as a commercial version with enhanced functionality. Shortly before the acquisition, the lead developer Michael Widenius initiated a fork called MariaDB, which offers many features of the commercial version but is fully governed by an open-source GNU license. MariaDB is fully compatible with MySQL and has largely replaced MySQL since 2013 in most operating systems, especially on Linux VPS Hosting and Dedicated Servers. Since 2015, websites based on CMS and e-commerce systems have also predominantly used MariaDB instead of MySQL, PostgreSQL, or SQLite - the choice of one of the alternatives does not impact functionality but primarily affects performance.

What are the advantages of web hosting with MySQL or MariaDB?

A paid web hosting service usually includes exclusive access to one or more databases. This preference for MySQL and MariaDB over PostgreSQL and SQLite is due to the minimal requirements that both free and commercial CMS and e-commerce systems have for their environment. This de facto standard combination offers several benefits to the user:

• Maximum compatibility with CMS, e-commerce systems, and custom websites
• Easy availability for Linux and Windows servers
• High stability and performance with large data volumes
• Excellent documentation and a large community
• Support from external tools like phpMyAdmin
• Utilization of different storage engines
• Easy usability through SQL commands
• Hierarchical distribution of rights for different users

What are the alternatives to MySQL or MariaDB?

When it comes to web hosting with a database, the priorities are high stability and maximum performance - both essential for continuous operation in a productive environment. Additionally, the databases must support the types required for a CMS. For larger websites, PostgreSQL is primarily suitable as an alternative, as this DBMS offers similar reliability and speed. For a limited amount of data, they can also be stored locally in a SQLite database - this method has the advantage of requiring access to only a single file and causing no external dependencies.

Tip: Also, explore Managed Database Hosting as a powerful and user-friendly alternative.