A MySQL database, like all other types of databases, is used to keep track of a website or software’s data. The technical term of MySQL is a relational database management system or RDBMS. MySQL is a software program that runs at all times on a server and gives other programs access to the information it maintains.
This information is stored in databases. A database is made up of tables. Each table is structured into fields that can contain a specific type of information. Some fields can contain only numbers, while others can only contain dates, etc.
MySQL controls access to this information with usernames and passwords, just like when you log in to a computer. Each username gets permission to do certain things with certain databases. You can create MySQL databases, users and passwords inside your control panel.
If you plan to install web software on your hosting account, you will need atleast one MySQL database. Most web software is designed to share a single database with more than one software program. You will also need to create a username and password for the software to use. Be sure to make the password as complex as possible, because its not a password you are going to remember. Usually, a program will store its MySQL password in a configuration file, you will never need the password again after installation.