Hosting Technology Wrap-Up: What is MySQL and How Do I Use It?

As the most popular database server in web hosting, MySQL is utilized in every industry, from social media to ecommerce. As a database, it is used to store and organize content and data, which may be later used in the dynamic generation of websites and as the backend of web applications. In this MySQL wrap up we will learn how MySQL is used, what its main benefits are, and how to install and use the software on your server!

Where and how is MySQL Database used?

The MySQL storage engine backs many aspects of our online life including: online streaming, social gaming, personal cloud storage, fantasy sports, and many more. It acts as the backbone of many popular sites on the web, such as Facebook, Tumblr, Zappos, Amazon, Square, WhiteHouse.gov, and King Digital Entertainment’s popular game Candy Crush. MySQL’s popularity is largely due to its incredible versatility; businesses that use MySQL come from every industry, ranging from entertainment to healthcare.

What are the main features and benefits of MySQL Database?

The power of MySQL server comes from its versatility. MySQL is the core of any app run on a simple LAMP stack (Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP) and can be configured for use with more advanced clusters that require high availability. In addition, MySQL allows for high performance and scalability. Liquid Web’s MySQL database solution includes:

• Installation and Maintenance
• Configuration and Optimization
• Optional High Availability and Replication
• Problem Query Identification

How do I install MySQL Database?

Our Knowledge Base has a number of step-by-step tutorials for installing MySQL on a variety of operating systems. Many of these tutorials also include instructions for installing (and upgrading to) MariaDB, a higher performing drop-in replacement for MySQL developed by the MySQL community.

• How to Install MySQL / MariaDB on CentOS 7
• How to Install MySQL on Ubuntu 14.04 LTS
• How to Install MySQL / MariaDB on Fedora 21
• How to Install MySQL / MariaDB on Fedora 22

How do I create & manipulate a MySQL Database?

One of the methods of working with MySQL on the Linux operating system is via the command line. From the command line, you can create, list, select, view and delete a database. You can also display the MySQL storage engines, which are the software modules that MySQL uses to create, read, and update databases. You can find step-by-step tutorials for all of these on our Knowledge Base:

• Create A MySQL Database on Linux via Command Line
• Show (List) MySQL Databases on Linux via Command Line
• How to Display MySQL Storage Engines
• Select a MySQL Database on Linux via Command Line
• View the Selected MySQL Database on Linux via Command Line
• Delete a MySQL Database on Linux via Command Line

How do I manipulate users for a MySQL Database?

In order to continue working with your newly created MySQL Database, you’ll need to create users and grant certain permissions to those users. Follow these tutorials from our Knowledge Base to find out how:

• Create a MySQL User on Linux via Command Line (Bonus content: View a List of MySQL Users)
• Remove a MySQL User on Linux via Command Line
• Grant Permissions to a MySQL User on Linux via Command Line
• Remove Permissions to a MySQL User on Linux via Command Line

Want to know more about MySQL Database? Contact our Heroic Support® team, available 24/7/365, and we’ll help!