what is sql error?

[paradoxguy]

Today I encountered the message "sql error" on a oft-visited website, which was unsurprisingly inoperative. The other websites I accessed around the same time on the same PC operated normally. What does this error denote and is it a website error or a problem related to my OS? I performed a Google-search for sql, but it was surprisingly unenlightening for me--perhaps the information I found was simply beyond my intellect.

Thanks for reading and any information.

[RainMotorsports]

Problem is either in their scripting, the database server or the database itself. Nothing you can do except sit back and relax. It happens to the best of em.

[Indrek]

What CluchX2 said. SQL stands for Structured Query Language, and it's used by websites to request data from the database, and send modified data back to it. For instance, when you read this thread, the forum software requests all the posts and some other information (like the posting rules at the bottom, the list of most shared laptops to the left, and so on) from the database using SQL, and when you post a reply, it sends it back to the database, again using SQL.

Nothing you can do about such errors. In all likelihood the website staff has already been notified (in many cases they receive an automatic email whenever an error occurs on the website) and will take care of it, so just sit back and try again a little later.

[paradoxguy]

I greatly appreciate both informative responses, especially Indrek's detailed description of SQL. The affected website is still afflicted, but at least I'm glad to know my PC and OS are not the problem.

Thanks,
PG