My SQL database info

[Mark]

I've got a bunch (and I mean a bunch - thousands) of HTML pages that I'm considering putting into a database format for ease of handling.

1. Is the MySQL storage listed in the control panel included in the hard drive space limit or is there another limit I need to be aware of? I'm on Aluminum and just upgraded to Copper.

2. Is there a practical limit on the number of databases. I know you say unlimited but in reality is there a limit?

3. When dealing with a bunch of HTML files is it better (speed wise to the visitor and resource wise on the server) to have them in a database or just straight HTML. This is regardless of how it may make my life easier.

4. If the answer to #3 is straight HTML and no database what's the best way to handle that many files?

Thanks.

[Nutter]

I'll do my best to field a couple of these.

1 - In cPanel the SQL space shows up separately from the drive space. I assume they add them together to get your limit, but I've never actually come close enough to the limit to find out..

2 - I don't know, but if you get an answer please let me know.

3 - Straight HTML pages should always be less resource intensive than pulling from a database. But, you shouldn't be able to tell yourself on a good server unless you are pulling a bunch of different records on the same page. Even then, unless you get a lot of traffic it shouldn't be an issue.

4 - If your site is so popular that it bogs down when you switch over to database driven, there's another option I've heard of, but never done. Keep a database on your computer. Every day (or week, or hour, depending on how often you update) run a script that outputs everything in the database to a series of HTML and upload it to your site. Your site is normal HTML, but you still get the maintenance benefit of database backed.