mysql or flat-file - which is cheaper?

I am debating whether I need to learn mysql or if I can get by with
flat-files? I sell hosted software and currently host dozens of
flat-file databases for clients. My webhost only allows 7 mysql
databases for my account. Does that mean I could only host seven mysql
databases? If so I think it is much cheaper to do things in flat-files
since my databases are rather small . Am I missing something here?

Thanks!

perhaps these flat-files aren't databases so much as they are "tables"?
each of the 7 databases could have countless tables.

"7 mysql databases" seems a bit arbitrary, since theres really no limit
to the size of a database. Probably still falls under the general
filespace limits you have....

>I am debating whether I need to learn mysql or if I can get by with
>flat-files? I sell hosted software and currently host dozens of
>flat-file databases for clients. My webhost only allows 7 mysql
>databases for my account. Does that mean I could only host seven mysql
>databases? If so I think it is much cheaper to do things in flat-files
>since my databases are rather small . Am I missing something here?

You can put an enormous number of tables in a single database.
The main reason you want separate databases is because the data
should be kept separate: it's for separate clients and should
have separate passwords, or you want several instances of the same
software that doesn't easily let you use alternate table names,
or you just want to keep data for separate virtual hosts separate.

How much disk storage does your host let you use? That's an issue
both for MySQL and flat files, although the disk usage may come out
of separate "buckets".

Gordon L. Burditt

el_roachmeister@yahoo.com wrote in news:1114013428.342173.9950
@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com:

> I am debating whether I need to learn mysql or if I can get by with
> flat-files? I sell hosted software and currently host dozens of
> flat-file databases for clients. My webhost only allows 7 mysql
> databases for my account. Does that mean I could only host seven mysql
> databases? If so I think it is much cheaper to do things in flat-files
> since my databases are rather small . Am I missing something here?
>
> Thanks!

learn mysql - if not now, you'll have to learn it sometime. to do basic
things, it's really not that complicated.

you will only need one database. many tables can be in a single
database.

databases are more robust, offer easier updating/retreiving of data, and
are clearly the way to go unless your webhost charges a lot of money for
mysql databases (most webhosts provide one free of charge).

Thanks, I will certainly start learning mysql . One concern I have is I
like the ease with which I can open a flatfile, view all the data and
make changes directly. This is very useful for debugging purposes as
well as quick editing. I am assuming this is not possible with mysql
since it is all stored as binary data. I would need to write various
commands to display a table and edit entries, no?

el_roachmeister@yahoo.com wrote:
> Thanks, I will certainly start learning mysql . One concern I have is I
> like the ease with which I can open a flatfile, view all the data and
> make changes directly. This is very useful for debugging purposes as
> well as quick editing. I am assuming this is not possible with mysql
> since it is all stored as binary data. I would need to write various
> commands to display a table and edit entries, no?
>
It is even easier and faster to change a MySQL table (once you
learn how) than it is to edit a flat file.

If you choose to use PHPMyAdmin you don't even have to learn the
three SQL commands needed to INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE rows
from a MySQL table.

HTH
Jerry

el_roachmeister@yahoo.com wrote in news:1114018555.928413.146760
@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com:

> I would need to write various commands to display a table and edit
> entries, no?

you can if you like, but no, its not necessary.

many webhosts set up something called PhpMyAdmin which gives you a GUI of
sorts, really through webpages.

or you can go get a GUI.... head to Navicat.com to try a 30-day trial... it
makes adminstering MySQL pretty simple, though it does require your webhost
to provide access to the MySQL database...

To sum up - you can go hard-core command-line MySQL if you want, but you
aren't limited to it at all.

el_roachmeister@yahoo.com wrote:
: Thanks, I will certainly start learning mysql . One concern I have is I
: like the ease with which I can open a flatfile, view all the data and
: make changes directly. This is very useful for debugging purposes as
: well as quick editing. I am assuming this is not possible with mysql
: since it is all stored as binary data. I would need to write various
: commands to display a table and edit entries, no?

To open and modify a flat file you need a tool like a text editor. And
you have to learn the commands of that editor.

To open and modify a database table you need a tool like the mysql client
program. And you have to learn SQL commands like SELECT and UPDATE.

In some ways the mysql program is easier because you can't mess up the
format of the data.

Otherwise, there's not really much difference at all. Choose the tool.
Learn the commands. Edit the data.


--

This space not for rent.

On Wed, 20 Apr 2005 09:10:28 -0700, el_roachmeister wrote:

> I am debating whether I need to learn mysql or if I can get by with
> flat-files? I sell hosted software and currently host dozens of
> flat-file databases for clients. My webhost only allows 7 mysql
> databases for my account. Does that mean I could only host seven mysql
> databases? If so I think it is much cheaper to do things in flat-files
> since my databases are rather small . Am I missing something here?

You need a better web host ;)

On 2005-04-20, el_roachmeister@yahoo.com <el_roachmeister@yahoo.com> wrote:
> I am debating whether I need to learn mysql or if I can get by with
> flat-files? I sell hosted software and currently host dozens of
> flat-file databases for clients. My webhost only allows 7 mysql
> databases for my account. Does that mean I could only host seven mysql
> databases? If so I think it is much cheaper to do things in flat-files
> since my databases are rather small . Am I missing something here?

You forget to calculate the time (and costs) you will spend implementing
transaction support etc.. for your flat files.

--
Met vriendelijke groeten,
Tim Van Wassenhove <http://www.timvw.info>