Creating Discussion Forums <-- Please Help

[ExaltedDragon]

Hi guys, Im new to this forum and new to the internet. I completed a web site a few months back and am currently adjusting it. A firend of mine gave me an idea for a discussion board just like the one we are all using.
This is WAY above my level of understanding, so I don't even know where to start. Can anyone help me with this. I mean, like for example:

What language(s) are used to write forums like this one we use here.
How would I find a server or company that can support this/these language(s).
Are databases involved?
If so, can this be done without databases?
Any other information would be great. Thank You so much.

[The Wizzard]

Hi, well... These boards are written in PHP, but they can be found in many different languages, the two most common are PHP and ASP.

These are server side lanuages, and they do require databases.
To get a forum to work, your host must support a server side language, ASP, PHP, ect. They must also support the database which the forum uses. Typicaly ASP uses Microsoft Access, and PHP uses mysql.

There are many discussion boards available out there, here are to links to hotscripts.com which list forums written in ASP, and PHP..

PHP:
http://www.hotscripts.com/PHP/Scripts_and_Programs/Discussion_Boards/

ASP:
http://www.hotscripts.com/ASP/Scripts_and_Components/Discussion_Boards/

Im sure more people will reply to this post, and help you out from here. If I can be of more assistance, please dont hesitate to email me. joshdavis949@hotmail.com

Josh.