Search and sortable info

What do I need to create a searchable & sortable "database" for my site?

[JRBVInc]

I am creating a site that lists various restaurants & their specials. It has 5 or so fields that I need to make searchable and sortable. Can someone put me on the right path?

Is a database the right option? Other options?

[piatkow]

Either you go for a database or a flat file format such as XML or JSON. The final choice is driven by the entire end to end process and shouldn't be taken in isolation.

Having come from a non web DBA background my personal bias would always be towards a relational database.

[JRBVInc]

Great... Think you could point me in the right direction on how to begin setting up a relational database maybe a link to a site or some fourms?

[rocknbil]

Databases - depends on what you like.
MySQL Documentation [dev.mysql.com]

Forums - you're on it. :-)

Databases Forum [webmasterworld.com]

Developing interfaces to the DB:
Perl forum [webmasterworld.com]
PHP forum [webmasterworld.com]

Learning either:
W3C Schools [w3schools.com]