Can I use the same mySQL database for two things?

[supaflyryan]

We pay our hosting company per database, and right now we have one up running our phpBB forum. I want to test out CubeCart which also uses a mySQL database. Obviously I'm new to the whole SQL thing, but I'm curious as to whether I can use the same database for two completely different operations. Are there any drawbacks to this if it works?

[zomega42]

Yes, you can do this, as long as your two applications don't try to use the same table names. That shouldn't be a problem because all the phpbb table names start with phpbb_.

I can't think of any reason that performance would suffer on mysql, and even if it did, it would only be noticeable on a huge site or overloaded db. The only drawback I can imagine is that if eventually one of your applications grows a lot and you need to move it to a separate server, you'd then have to separate the dbs, but in mysql that would also be pretty easy.

[Demaestro]

The only warning I can think of for doing this is that site X will have a database connection to site Y's tables and vise versa.

Now really this isn't a huge thing but if you are allowing personel from site X to write queries themselves then they will have access to the tables of site Y, they would be able to query them and delete/update data.

If you are the only one writing and executing SQL then you should be fine.

[supaflyryan]

Sounds great... we are a small operation that I don't see growing huge anytime soon, so I'm gonna try it. Thanks for the help!

[henry0]

Cube cart allows for table prefix
So it should not be a problem
A word of caution
BACK UP THE CONFIG TABLE
If you test SSL and miss the "slightest comma" in your SSL setup
You will be locked out of the admin
and only reloading config will allow you back in