When you’re considering starting or upgrading a web hosting plan, you may want to consider the benefits of using databases to manage and structure the data you are collecting or displaying on your website. Using a database in conjunction with a web hosting plan can provide significant benefits. To use databases within a web hosting plan requires the use of structured query language (SQL) and you will see that different plans allow the use of MySQL and MS SQL.

What is the difference between the two and which is right for me?

MySQL is open source software – freely available to use without restriction. MS SQL is proprietary software, owned and licensed for use by Microsoft. Some would argue that this gives a benefit in that MS SQL is well supported and frequently updated. MySQL benefits from the fact that it costs nothing, and that a host of support is available on the web.

Both kinds of SQL are great for creating dynamic web content – and if you have ever visited commerce-enabled sites then you have probably interacted with web databases using these technologies. If you are using a Windows based server and you are familiar with products like Access, then MS SQL will probably make your life easier. If you are familiar with Linux and the operation of MySQL already, you will know the benefits this powerful application can bring you.

CWCS web hosting plans provide for the use of both MySQL or MS SQL, so you can choose a plan that is going to be suitable for you. If you have any doubts about which version of SQL is the best for you, our customer services representatives can help give you the information you require to make an informed decision.