MySQL databases
MySQL is a popular open-source database management system: the MySQL website calculates that there are 10 million installations, large and small, across the world. In our environment its commonest use is as a back-end database accessed via the web, using scripts written in languages such as PHP and perl.
IT Services is now offering facilities for Schools, Units and Student Societies wishing to create databases with MySQL as part of their websites. Our support for MySQL is limited to:
- providing access to our MySQL server for users who ask for it and setting up an empty database for them
- maintaining the server and the MySQL software (currently version 5.5)
- backing up the data
We do not provide training in the use of MySQL or the programming languages that are used to access MySQL databases. If you ask for a MySQL database to be created for you, it will be assumed that you know how to manage it and populate it with data.
There is a large amount of documentation and advice freely available on the web. A good place to start is: https://www.mysql.org
While unable to provide detailed training on the use of MySQL, IT Services is happy to provide general guidance on the use of databases. In creating your database you must take appropriate account of data standards and sustainability issues. In particular, anyone requesting a MySQL database in connection with a research or teaching project in the Arts faculty will be referred to the University’s Arts Computing Adviser before the database is set up.
