difference between A and CNAME

Can someone please explain the difference between A and CNAME when setting up an entry in a DNS. Where would I use one and not use the other.
I'm basically concerned with this because I want to host more than one site on my computer with it's single IP address. Should the server be listed with an A reference and the other domains that wish to be hosted with a CNAME reference!?

Thanks in advance,

Patrick.

>> Can someone please explain the difference between A and CNAME when setting up an entry in a DNS.
http://www.microtech.co.gg/dns/record_cname.htm
>>Where would I use one and not use the other.
How about NEVER using CNAME records . Check out http://www.faqts.com/knowledge_base...id/8815/fid/699 and also http://cr.yp.to/djbdns/notes.html (under the section Aliases) for why not to use CNAME records.

Hope this helps

Thanks, that clears things up a lot.

Appreciate you taking the time.... CNAME's --- evil little things...

Patrick