Can I Run a Forum Without a MySQL Database?

Hi new here. (I'll make an introduction another time)

I wanted a Simple Machine Forum on my new site, but my package doesn't have a MySQL Database. However, I can use PHP, Perl, and a CGI Library. I am very new to webdesign, so my question might be a little nubish. (Gaming for new/naive)

Can anyone recommend a forum that I can install on my website that doesn't require MySQL, but uses the features that I have?

 

Even minibb requires mysql. I am not sure if there is any such forum software. You can checkout on hostscripts, but let me warn you - even if you find something it will be very basic. Worth upgrading your hosting account!

BTW, did you get the hosting my ix webhost? Their basic hosting is probably the only hosting package without a databse now a days, from a big company.

 

I think that there are forums that do not require MySQL because someone mentioned it to me. It isn't ix.

 

There could be but it would be very messy writing to files.

You might do better to look out for one of the free forums hosted elsewhere, or alternatively does you hosting offer a forum in there library of scripts?

 

Alternatively get me some good PR links to one of my sites and I will host it for you for free.

 

I'll consider the offer, but I really want it on my site as a /php or something like that.

Are you offering a .com forum for the exchange of a few links?

 

Same, I could get you a subdomain, or directory with your own forum that uses a DB in exchange for some link backs

Id even give ftp access.

Josh

 

I would rather figure that out myself.

Anyone else have any recommendations?

 

Where are you going to save the information of the users? cookies..? I think it's possible, it's just nobody want to design that kind of software..

 

I'd just go ahead and improve your hosting package. As has been said before, you might be able to find a system that doesn't use a DB but it'd probably suck.

 

lol... I thought it's pretty harsh to say suck, that's why I didn't want to say it lol.. but oh well, there.. he/she gets my point..

 

I just need something that works. Not something that is good.

 

Like most people have said, database based is the way to go, but if you must go databaseless, check out

http://sourceforge.net/projects/navboard/

http://sourceforge.net/projects/sips/

 

forum on files? no

 

Some more flat file based forums that don't need databases:

http://myupb.com/

Easy Forum

PbLang

Hope you find something you like.

 

Thank you so much einsteinsboi! I will check out your site and maybe link to you in the near future. My googling didn't turn up any of these results.

I like Myupb, two of the Hot-Things products, and PBLang. I am so excited that I can actually choose which one I want. I thought I would be stuck with a "take it or leave it" deal.

Thanks Again!

 

You're more than welcome!! Options are always a good thing. Hope you find a good one for you. And thanks for the offer of a link, that will be great!!

 

If you have php 5 then you can use the file based database system sqlite. It comes standard with php5 and as an extension to php4 . One forum software that supports sqlite is punbb. http://punbb.org/

 

You do not need MySql or any database engine to be installed in order to create and use databases.

You can easily create xBase compatible databases with the Perl DBI

There is a discussion of using xBase or dBase compatible databases in PHPat phpdig.net

You could also invent your own disk or RAM based database scheme!

 

My provider says that it has PHP. I copied the exact description from the site.

"PHP
PHP5 is a server-side HTML embedded scripting language. PHP is ideal for the creation of dynamic data-driven web sites. PHP5 is fully enabled on all of our packages."

That means I can use PunBB, right?