Squirrels and nuts!? That is what I thought the first time I heard the phrase SQL hosting and when you see the coding behind SQL for the first time, you will probably think it is a little squirrely. That being said, SQL server hosting is a very powerful tool essential for most web sites and businesses. Almost all major web sites and search engines use SQL in one way or another.
So what is SQL and do you need it? SQL is a powerful database that's used to store and retrieve important data. If you have ever used or worked with Microsoft Access, SQL server is similar, only much more powerful. SQL stores data such as passwords, user names, and products in tables. These tables are linked together by a common key such as a product ID number or customer name. The data is retrieved by using queries that link the data in the tables. For example, suppose you want to know how many products and what type of products where purchased by John Doe in the last year. A query can be built in SQL that will retrieve this information. It can store millions of rows of data indefinitely, making it's server an essential tool for most businesses and web sites.
How does the data get into the tables in SQL? It is simple and one of the many reasons SQL is so powerful. You do not have to input large amounts of data or hire anyone for data entry. The customers and visitors input the data directly into SQL server when they fill out the necessary forms on your web site. Think about that the next time you fill out information to sign up for a blog or purchase something on the internet. Your data goes into SQL and is stored for as long as the owner of that data wants to keep it.
