Which Database Server To Choose?

If you’ve been shopping for a web host, you’ve probably noticed there are different types of database server available. Let’s see the different options and try to determine the right one for your website.

What Is A Database?

According to Wikipedia, a computer database is

“…a structured collection of records or data that is stored in a computer system so that a computer program or person using a query language can consult it to answer queries. The records retrieved in answer to queries are information that can be used to make decisions.

The term database refers to the collection of related records, and the software should be referred to as the database management system or DBMS. When the context is ambiguous, however, many database administrators and programmers use the term database to cover both meanings.”

So basically, a database is used to store structured information to be accessed and managed by different applications. For example, you would need a database to store your online product catalog, your forum’s discussions and threads, your blog entries, etc.

Most databases have to be queried through a database server. The server is taking care of performing queries and returning result sets, locking records when there are updates and many other tasks. In large enterprises, a database server is taken care of by the DBA (Database Administrator).

MySQL Database Server

MySQL has to be the most well-known open-source database format. The MySQL server comes in two flavors: the Community Edition and the Enterprise Edition. The MySQL Community Edition is the “free version” for which the company will not offer technical support. As opposed to the Community Edition, the Enterprise Edition offers more features and you can get technical support.

I have yet to see a MySQL server in a non-web context but it has to exist somewhere.

Most web hosting companies offer MySQL Community Edition bundled with their hosting plans and this version usually suits most web development needs.

Most free web applications (like Wordpress, osCommerce, phpBB) uses MySQL. This database server can run on both Microsoft Windows and Linux / Unix plateforms.

PostgreSQL Server

PostgreSQL is another well-known open-source database server but it is surely less popular than MySQL. As with many other open-source programs, PostgreSQL is not controlled by any single company, but relies on a global community of developers and companies to develop it.

PostgreSQL can also run on both Microsoft Windows and Linux / Unix plateforms.

Microsoft SQL Server

Microsoft SQL (or MSSQL) is a relational database management system (RDBMS) produced by Microsoft. Its primary query language is Transact-SQL, an implementation of the ANSI/ISO standard Structured Query Language (SQL) used by both Microsoft and Sybase.

While this is a really robust and performant database server, it is not free. It also requires a Microsoft Windows Server operating system as it will not run on Linux / Unix, therefore adding to the cost (MS Windows Server isn’t free neither).

Microsoft’s SQL Server is rarely seen in cheap hosting plans but rather in high-end web hosting. It is often used in conjunction with ASP-based websites.

Most free web applications do not support MSSQL.

Microsoft Access

Probably the most well-known database format as it comes with Microsoft Office, Access does not need a database server to be accessed. It can be queried through its desktop software (Microsoft Access) or through an ODBC link.

While almost everyone has worked with Microsoft Access at one point or another, it is not recommended to use this database format within web applications unless you’ve got very little traffic. Querying this database type through ODBC require a lot of resources.

So Which Database Server Should I Look For?

If you are having someone else developing your website, I suggest look with your programmer first. He (or she) will be able to tell you which database format they plan to use.

If you’re going to use some of the most popular free web applications like Wordpress, phpBB, osCommerce, Joomla, etc. you can stick with MySQL. It is easy to find documentation and FAQs on the subject.

On the other hand, if you’re gonna run a high-traffic website (i.e. tens of thousands of unique visitors per day) or you wanna use ASP as your programming language, you may want to look into Microsoft SQL Server. Still, MySQL may do the job just fine.

PostgreSQL is not a bad option, it is just less popular. And Microsoft Access is a bad option.

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