MySQL FAQ

What is SQL?

SQL stands for "Structured Query Language". SQL is the most common standardized language used to access databases.

XMission uses MySQL, which is a very popular open-source database management system.

What version of MySQL does XMission use?

XMission currently has two versions of MySQL running: version 5.0.24a and version 4.1.11. The current version is also displayed when you log in to the MySQL server.

How much does a database at XMission cost?

If you have a Deluxe Hosting or Pro Hosting account, an SQL database is included in your account package. For any other account type, the charge is $5 per month.

How do I get a database set up for my account?

To add a database to your account, either email sql@xmission.com or contact sales.

How do I log in to my database?

Depending on your MySQL version, you will need to connect to a different host. For MySQL version 4.x, the server name is mysql-41.xmission.com

For MySQL version 5.x the server name is mysql-50.xmission.com

To connect directly to the database from our shell server:

1. telnet or ssh to shell.xmission.com
2. mysql -u acctname -h servername -p databasename
3. This will prompt you for a password, which is not necessarily the same as your login password.

For example: to connect to a MySQL version 5.x database, you would use: mysql -u acctname -h mysql-50.xmission.com -p databasename

What can I use to access my database?

There isn't a "recommended" method to access your database, but here is a list of the more popular programing languages connection methods which we support.

perl : DBI module

python : mysql module or MySQLdb module

php : php has been compiled with the mysql functions built in

C : The header and libraries for mysql are installed so #include <mysql/mysql.h> will need to be present in your source files.

C++ : same as C, but we also have mysql++ headers and libraries on XMission servers. To use this, #include <sqlplus>

Java : JDBC classes are available

What do I do if I forgot my password?

Email sql@xmission.com to have your password reset.

Do I have a size limit (quota) for my database?

Yes. The size of your database counts against your /home quota, which is 100MB default for most account types. Pro Hosting accounts get 200MB /home storage, and additional storage can be purchased.

Can I use stored routines?

Our MySQL 5.0 server support stored functions, procedures, triggers, and other such routines. Since it is a shared server, we do not allow users to create or edit their own routines. If you would like to have a routine installed, please contact support, providing a full copy of the routine you'd like installed. We will install the routine if we decide the code does not cause any problems or cause an unreasonable support burden. If you would like more complete control over database routines, please consider our VPS or Colocate products.

Where can I get more information about using MySQL?

Thorough documentation can be found at MySQL.com.