Can I install MySQL on my computer?

Question:

If i download mySQL to my computer, and then create a database using it, does that information get stored onto my computer? I want to create a website with a log-in system created with mysql and php. But i want the server of my website to be a host like bluehost or ipage, etc..

Answer:

Sorta.  It’s a bit more complicated than that.  You need extra software to do it, not just MySQL.  Google “installing MySQL on a local computer”.  Here’s one:  http://www.howtodowiki.com/turn-local-computer-into-server-install-mysqlphpmyadmin-and-apache-on-pc-xampp-installation-guide/

Why are you coding your own login system?  Do you know how to do the security on that so you can’t get hacked?  You mentioned BlueHost and iPage.  They already have the software available in their control panel for running membership sites.  Heck, even a WordPress installation can do it.  Go to the WordPress plugin directory and search on “membership” to find plugins already written.

If you’re going to be doing development, then of the 2 hosts you picked, go with BlueHost.  The cPanel control panel is definitely geared towards developers with a very robust set of tools.  iPage, not so much.