I have checked everywhere but I cant seem to find what they actually are! Can any1 help?

mysql - an open source relational database
php - scripting langauge
cgi - scripting langauge

php and cgi are competing scripting languages. basically if you want to run an application of some type, connect to a database, build dynamic pages you use php or cgi (there are others too.)

lets say for instance you want to make a shopping cart you can use php or cgi. the php/cgi code will gather up all the items ordered and drop it into a database (mysql) for you to retrieve later and process the order.

scripting languages are not the best way of running application but it's probably the easiest.

I totally agree with amicus, except PHP scripts are extremely useful for smilies in your blog and INCLUDES, which are my only objection. The scripts are nice, but basic html is easier and probably better in most cases.

Oh. thanks. But what has it to do with websites?

php and cgi are 2 languages that web applications can be written in. you know how you go to forums, shopping carts, message boards, anything that needs processing. the application is written to take in user information, drop the information into a database (or do other stuff), then the owner can retrieve the information later and do what ever they want with the information.

php and cgi are just langauges to do it in.

You can also use scripting languages like PHP to set up easy navigation/layout systems for your site.

you can use scripting langauges for most things that you need an application for. the applications that you write with scripting languages won't be as robust as a full programming langauge but it does a good job.

using scripting languages isn't bad at all. i prefer not to use them, i concider scripting languages pretty 'basic'. there are certain programming concepts that scripting languages break and that's just not my cup of tea.

I understand now but how do I know if my host supports it? Ive downloaded phpbb but it says to make sure. Also, which one is best? Ikonboard or PhpBB?

just ask your host and they'll tell you what they support. it's not a big secret so they'll tell you or it'll be in the package description when you got the host.

i don't know which hosting is good, i'm not big on scripting so i really don't know. i've seen alot of scripting questions on this forum so i'm sure someone else will know.

I know I didn't make this post, but I too, have a question. I understand fully, well partially about the meaning of them. Can you name some common things these scripts/languages are used for? Are these downloadable? Or is it automatically built in your computer? How do I know if my computer supports these scripts?

I find PHP really confusing just like many people. If you want to learn more about PHP you could go here: http://www.php.net

php.net is an open source site. you can view the php source of the website.

some common uses for scripting languages are message boards, shopping carts, forums, collecting user information and any transactional type stuff. you don't need anything special to write php but you do need a webserver or some type of engine to run the script.

My host is topcites.com and I dont think it supports it because you cant upload php on it. So I'm changing my host to FreeWebs. Thanks for the help anyway.

does freewebs or freewebz support php? i think it doesn't cause i already tried it

i doubt that freewebz would support PHP. most free hosts don't have that. Although i've heard of one that did. ill pm you if i remember lol

i know that, but i jus got sik and tired of topcities so i had to change.