What is a Database?
sA database is a collection of data that is structured and organized. A database is a piece of software that stores and organizes data in the computing world. Consider it a filing cabinet where data is organized into divisions called tables. When you require a specific file, you go to that section (table) and obtain the file (data) you require.
WordPress’ database management system is MySQL. MySQL is a database management system that allows you to create, save, and retrieve data when you need it. MySQL, like WordPress, is an open source program that works well with other open source programs such as the Apache web server, PHP, and the Linux operating system.
A MySQL database is required to install WordPress. MySQL is included in the hosting packages of all WordPress hosting providers. You give WordPress your database information during the installation, and WordPress takes care of the rest.
What exactly is a Database Host?
The computer that hosts your database on a MySQL server is known as the database host. Localhost is most of the time, and typing localhost in the host column will connect WordPress to your database. Some web hosting providers, on the other hand, may handle MySQL servers under different host names. Your host name can be found in your hosting control panel’s MySQL or Database sections. If you can’t identify the host name, contact your hosting provider.
What exactly is a database table?
Tables in databases are similar to sections or cabinets in a database system. Each table has columns, and data is organized into rows. Each column in the table has its own field in each row.
A table called employee records, for example, might exist in an office databases. Columns in this table could include:
- employee_id
- employee_name
- employee_joining_date
- employee_phone_no
WordPress will generate tables in your database on its own. At the time of writing, a standard WordPress installation would generate the following tables:
- wp_commentmeta
- wp_comments
- wp_links
- wp_options
- wp_postmeta
- wp_posts
- wp_terms
- wp_term_relationships
- wp_term_taxonomy
- wp_usermeta
- wp_users
Data would be placed in separate columns in each of these tables. The wp users table in WordPress, for example, has the following columns:
- ID
- user_login
- user_pass
- user_nicename
- user_email
- user_url
- user_registered
- user_activation_key
- user_status
- display_name
What exactly is a SQL query?
SQL stands for Structured Query Language, and it is a programming language for managing databases. A query is a SQL command that instructs the databases server to retrieve data. WordPress retrieves data from MySQL queries and uses it to produce web pages.
The following is an example of a MySQL query:
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SELECT * FROM wp_posts WHERE ID = 23; |
SQL isn’t simply for retrieving information from tables. It can also build new tables and update, insert, and delete data from existing tables. By saving and retrieving data from the database using SQL queries, WordPress stores, and edits all of your website data.
How to Take Care of Your WordPress Database
It’s critical to understand how to do specific actions on your WordPress databases. This can assist you in troubleshooting common WordPress difficulties, recovering your website, and making your website more secure overall. You might wish to learn how to make regular backups, for example.
WordPress databases can be handled with phpMyAdmin, an open source web program that manages MySQL databases with a simple graphical user interface. There are also numerous WordPress plugins that can assist you in creating WordPress databases backups.
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