Do you know what ASP, JSP, PHP, MySQL, and MSSQL stand for? Well, here’s a quick guide to help you out if you’re stuck, because defining web hosting terminology shouldn’t be as difficult as it often is!

ASP – (Active Server Pages) ASP is a Windows-based script that allows you to customize your website. It’s not necessary for personal webhosting, so if you’re not a programmer, odds are you can live without it. More often than not, ASP web hosting is more expensive than basic hosting.

CGI – (Common Gateway Interface) CGI is a very tiny script that allows data taken from website users to be processed on the server. CGI-bins are common in web hosting control panels so that you can store CGI scripts.

FrontPage – (Microsoft FrontPage Extensions) FrontPage is a web design tool developed and licensed by Microsoft. Many users prefer the ease of use in designing websites using FrontPage. FrontPage web hosting is very popular and affordable.

HTML – (HyperText Markup Language) HTML is a commonly-used phrase these days, and it’s nothing more than language you can learn and use to design and develop your website. HTML can make your text italic, show pictures, create line breaks, and even design borders, links, and play music.

JSP – (Java Server Pages) JSP is a scripting language similar to ASP in the tasks it can perform. JSP web hosting normally is more expensive, and if you are not into web programming, you do not need it.

SQL – (Standard Query Language) SQL is a protocol used to generate information requested from databases. The two most popular ways to utilize SQL is by using MySQL or MS SQL databases. They are both similar, and the main difference is that MS SQL is developed and licensed by Microsoft and works best with Windows Web Hosting.

XML – (Extensible Markup Language) XML is a language similar to HTML, which also allows for website design and development. XML is more for website programming than design and actually allows programmers to define its functions.

Databases can really simplify your life when it comes to running your website. Website hosting can be tough, but if you choose the best web hosting provider and the best database hosting and management available, you’ll be set in no time.

Database web hosting is really just a way to keep all your information stored and accessed in a simple way. For example, if you bought an ecommerce web hosting plan and have 500 customers to attend to, you can store their information in a database. This database can hold information like the products you offer, your customers’ addresses, pricing, categories, past customer information, and really anything you want it to. By using these databases on your website, you can access information you have stored and recall it quickly and easily on forms, for accounts, and in any way necessary.

Database servers are dedicated servers used specifically for hosting a database. When you have a website too big to host both the website and databases on the same server, this is normally how you proceed.

There are several types of databases that you can use, the most popular of which are MySQL, MS SQL, and postgreSQL.

The best web hosting providers can offer all of these or different versions for different hosting plans.