Database Overview
A database is an organized collection of information usually arranged in tables. The information collected could be customer names, the products you sell or any other type of information that can be included in a table. A database allows you to store, retrieve and modify data easily and efficiently.
Databases have become an essential part of web site development. Web sites such as Amazon.com and Monster.com use databases to help you sort through and retrieve information about different products and jobs respectively.
We support four different types of databases on both Linux and Windows platforms.
Linux Platform
- MySQL
Windows Platform
- Microsoft Access 2000/2003
- MS SQL
- Microsoft Visual Fox Pro 7.0
With Linux, there are no ODBC/DSN connections to connect to a database. Windows, however, uses DSN and DSN-less connections to connect to a database.
The Linux Hosting Platform Database section consists of the following sections:
The Windows Hosting Platform Database section consists of the following sections:
- Types of Windows Databases
- Upload Access Database
- Order Microsoft SQL Database
- DSN Connections
- DSN-less Connections
- Troubleshoot Database Errors
Database FAQ
- What is SQL?
- What are MySQL and MS SQL?
- What database formats do you support?
- What is a DSN? What is a DSN-less connection?
- How do I connect to my database?
- Do you provide technical support for database management?
What is SQL?
SQL (Structured Query Language) is the most popular database language in use today. SQL is used to create database queries that take the form of commands. SQL queries enable you to select, insert, update and determine the location of data, among other tasks. MySQL and Microsoft® SQL Server™ utilize the SQL language.
What are MySQL and MS SQL?
MySQL is an open source relational database management system that utilizes the SQL database language. It is a multi-user, multi-threaded database server that provides speed, robustness and ease of use. Our MySQL databases (supported on the Linux platform) are hosted on a dedicated MySQL server to ensure better database processing and faster performance.
MS SQL refers to Microsoft® SQL Server™. Microsoft SQL Server is a complete database and data analysis software package (supported on the Windows platform). It is highly scalable and well-suited to complex E-commerce sites and enterprise applications.
What database do you support?
Customers may use MySQL database in Linux, upgraded customers who changed the hosting platform from Linux to Windows may use Microsoft Access 2000/2003, Microsoft Visual Fox Pro 7.0, and MS SQL database.
What is a DSN? What is a DSN-less connection?
DSN, which stands for data source name, is a method of connecting to a database via ASP (Active Server Page) on the Windows platform. DSN connections require ODBC, an open standard for API for accessing databases. ODBC handles SQL requests and converts them into requests that the individual database systems understand.
A DSN-less connection is a method of connecting to a database without specifying a named data source. DSN-less connections don’t require the creation of an ODBC DSN. Instead of relying on information stored in a file or in the system registry (as DSN connections do), DSN-less connections specify the driver name and all driver-specific information in the connection string.
How do I connect to my database?
When you request your database, you will specify the database name and password. You will then be given your database server name and the user name you should use to connect to the database. To access your MySQL database, you can use Perl DBI or the Mysql.pm module. We also provide phpMyAdmin to manage your MySQL database. To access your MS SQL database, please use Microsoft Enterprise Manager or SQL Server Management Studio Express.
Do you provide technical support for database management?
We will help you connect to your database and assist you in troubleshooting database connection issues. We do not, however, assist you with building or managing your database.