3.2.2.3 Database Servers
Database server applications form the backbone of most online services. Dynamic web applications pull data from and write data to these applications. For example, a web program for tracking online students might consist of a front-end server that presents a web form. When data is entered into the form, it is written to a database application such as MariaDB. When instructors need to access student information, the web application queries the database and returns the results through the web application.
MariaDB is a community-developed fork of the MySQL relational database management system. It is just one of many database servers used for web development as different requirements dictate the best application for the required tasks.
A database stores information and also allows for easy retrieval and querying. Some other popular databases are Firebird and PostgreSQL. You might enter raw sales figures into the database and then use a language called Structured Query Language (SQL) to aggregate sales by product and date to produce a report.