Which database can Win9x / WinNT users use ?

Anon

Hello everyone,

I am an new PHP user about to start using database in PHP. I am using Windows 98.

Now which database to use.

There is no free version of MySQL for
windows
Looks like there is no PostgreSQL for
windows too
Interbase is free, But has anyone used
it with PHP yet? I have used it with
Delphi.
I do not want to use ODBC.

Now comes the million-dollar question. Just
for this, will I have to buy a new PC, Install Linux and do the needful.

I personally want to start learning / using
Linux. But what should I do right away to start PHP databased programming on Win98.

I could see from the forum questions, that many others are asking the same question indirectly.

Thank you and Best regards.

Anon

MySQL is free for Windows Users now.

I use PHP4 and Mysql on Windows 98 at home. I've also installed it on a test server in work (windows NT 4) and I've had no problems installing or using it, and its REALLY fast.

Can't comment on PostgreSQL as I've never used it.

Anon

Hello Jon,

Thank You.

I am really confused. How can you say that MySQL is free. I had gone to their site
www.mysql.com today and very cleary they say that We have to purchase binaries for mysql for windows. The linux version is free. But the windows version is not free. Please give me the exact link ... if it is really free.

Please help ...

Best Regards.

Anon

I'm looking on the the page below. I've also heard other people say it is now free. I might be wrong though.

http://www.mysql.com/information/index.html

MySQL is Open Source Software.
Open source means that it is possible for anyone to use and modify. Anybody can download MySQL from the Internet and use it without paying anything. Anybody so inclined can study the source code and change it to fit their needs. MySQL uses the GPL (GNU General Public License) http://www.gnu.org, to define what you may and may not do with the software in different situations. If you feel uncomfortable with the GPL or need to embed MySQL into a commercial application you can buy a commercially licensed version from us.

Anon

Hi Jon,

It is free for all other operating system. But Windows version are not.

Are you using MySQL with Windows. If yes -Where did you download it from ?

I tried even the older links of MySql without any successs.

I am confused. How am i to use the database features of PHP.

Best Regards.

Anon

This is the download page for the latest (beta) version.

http://www.mysql.com/downloads/mysql-3.23.html

Select "Windows 95/98/NT/2000 (Intel)"

Unzip and Install

Once its installed, you need to run C:\mysql\bin\mysqld.exe to start the server.

C:\mysql\bin\mysql.exe will put you at the command prompt. Here you do SQL commands for Creating Databases / Tables, etc. Suggest you get some tutorials. Either here, or www.devshed.com or www.webmonkey.com

Good Luck

Jon

Anon

Hi Again,

I have started downloading it using Go!zilla.

17% has been completed. But this is a beta release.

I hope it gets downloaded fully.

Best regards

Anon

If you are looking to set up a Apache/MySQL/PHP server on Windows, you could use my installer for the whole works. It's available at sourceforge.net/projects/phptriad.

On the MySQL license issue. . . MySQL is now free for all of the platforms it comes on. However, since they own all of the code, they are free to license it under other licenses as well. Since the GPL requires you to make the source available if you use it in your product, those who wish to embed MySQL into closed-source commercial applications might want to have it under a different license. That's why they have a statement saying that if you are uncomfortable with the open source license or are embedding MySQL into a commercial application you can buy a license, but don't have to and can use it however you want as long as you abide by the GPL. So, yes MySQL for Windows is completly, 100% free.