18 replies to this topic

[timothyinspa]

Is having my sql on a computer, make that computer a server for a game?
Thanks

[Reedbeta]

If your game needs MySQL to run, then you have to have a MySQL server, obviously. But having a MySQL server alone doesn't make a fully-functional game server. If it's a web-based game you'll need a web server as well, for example. If it uses a custom protocol, you'll need a custom server.

[timothyinspa]

so what does my sql do basically?

[ville-v]

timothyinspa said:

so what does my sql do basically?

It is database server. If your other server wants to write into or read from a SQL database, it will contact the SQL server that is running on your computer. That SQL server could be on another computer, too, but that would mean it is very slow.

[timothyinspa]

So is mysql a freeware or a software that cost?
because i heard from people its Microsoft's software for free, but going to the mysql site it says u have to pay? Please correct me if i am wrong. Thanks

[TheNut]

Heh, the software brand mixing game ;) SQL Server and MySQL are similar products (database software), but from different companies. SQL Server is developed by Microsoft and it costs, but they do have an "express" edition which is free although I've never bothered with it. MySQL is maintained by Sun Microsystems (yeah, the Java guys) and it's both open source (free) and has commercial options.

[timothyinspa]

lol i am confused, but to certain extend I get what you mean.
Sometimes i saw some really huge server machines that take up a whole room, are those server also?

[Reedbeta]

Yes, the word "server" can mean either a program running on a computer (like a MySQL server or a web server) or the computer itself. The machines that you see that take up a whole room are actually many many individual servers stored on racks.

[timothyinspa]

so does it mean if i want to host my own website, i can just use a normal computer, and not hire those website hosting companies. Right?

[Reedbeta]

Yes, assuming that you leave your computer on all the time (the website will be down when the computer is turned off, obviously).

[timothyinspa]

so it means that i can buy two computers or more and make them servers and one turns off the another is still on, does it work?

[fireside]

I know people that have home servers like that, so I know it works. If you have a high speed connection and your traffic isn't too bad. You might want to look into free web sites that use advertising for revenue. Some of them have php and mysql databases. It's a nice, inexpensive way to get started. I had one for a while, but went to an inexpensive pay site. I just did a search for "free web hosting".

[TheNut]

Are you talking about clustering servers? If so, then that's the idea behind it. If one server machine fails and shuts down, any other server that is still on and running will take over. You have to implement this logic however. It's not something that comes with your web server. There's quite a bit of logic behind it and varies depending on what sort of product you're making.

[timothyinspa]

besides hosting website, i have a question about domain.... where can i get one,and why do i have to renew it?

[ville-v]

timothyinspa said:

besides hosting website, i have a question about domain.... where can i get one

http://www.google.fi...?q=get+a+domain

timothyinspa said:

and why do i have to renew it?

http://www.google.fi...main+name%3F%22

[Reedbeta]

You might want to make those links to the English google instead of the Finnish one. (Or maybe the Chinese one, since timothy is in Hong Kong...)

[ville-v]

Reedbeta said:

You might want to make those links to the English google instead of the Finnish one. ;) (Or maybe the Chinese one, since timothy is in Hong Kong...)

*blushes*

Well, at least the link names are in English and the only thing to do is to click them.

[timothyinspa]

nah i have no problem reading the english links lol thanks :)

[alphadog]

From the thread, are we to assume that you want to create a web-based game and host it yourself?

If so, first, you may want to make sure your service provider that you use to connect to the Internet allows you to host per your AUP. I just had to switch from a residential account to a business account with Comcast, my ISP, because I was running a mail server and they nailed me on it.

Secondly, you'll need to figure out how to host a website. I'm assuming you have a Windows machine? The web server will be Microsoft's IIS which, depending on the version of Windows you have may be included, or you could put the free Apache server, which is widespread and has a big community behind it.

Then, you'll have to pick a platform to develop your game. That's an even more confusing area...

Any other questions?