As far as databases go, MySQL is the way to go in my opinion. It is free and it is awesome. I know that some people use Perl scripts to access MySQL databases as well as PHP.
If you need somewhere to host a PHP/MySQL powered website, I would highly recommend
http://www.tripod.lycos.co.uk. You get free PHP/MySQL, 50 megs and no advertisements with PHP files. I don't know if this is a fluke in their advertising system or what, because they do appear on files ending in .htm or .html.
For some reason, PHP/MySQL support is not available on the American Lycos but it is there on the Italian, UK, and some other versions. At least the UK version is in english
