Glossary

Database (DB)

A database is piece of software which holds data in a structured way and provides a means to examine and query the data in such a way as to make it useful. Typically databases are also expected offer a central place to store data that can easily be accessed by multiple applications using common methods such as ODBC and SQL. Additionally, a database is intended to help shield the storage of your data from any changes in your computer environment such as changes to disks, file systems or operating systems.

Database Management System (DBMS)

A Database Management System is a piece of software that deals with databases. A DBMS can be contain many databases, each of which can be used for different purposes. The DBMS makes sure that only authorised people can access the databases; that the data doesn't get corrupted; and many more things.

Extensible Markup Language (XML)

The Extensible Markup Language is a means of describing and structuring data in text. Any type of data for any purpose can be defined by in XML by creating an XML Schema, which is defines the types of data, the types of attribute an item of data has and the way items of data are related to each other; and an XML file, which contains the data itself and defines the structure of the data. XML is the basis for XHTML.

MySQL

MySQL is a Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) developed by MySQL AG, who were recently acquired by Sun Microsystems. MySQL is distributed with either an open source of commercial license, although typically people use the open license when developing web applications. MySQL is very popular for it's ease of use, fast performance a reliability. A number of very useful features are available compared to other DBMS, whoever some people prefer to use MySQL in a more standard way in order that their data can more easily be transferred to another DBMS should the need arise

Relational Database Management System (RDBMS)

See Database Management System

Server Side

Any action or operation that is carried out on a server. For example when a visitor to a web site orders some products, the processing of that order is carried out 'server side' and not on the visitors computer. Web site visitors are usually unaware that server side actions take place, they simply click a link or a button and then see a web page load.