MySQL

How to learn it and use it... or just get someone to do it for me?

[Onders]

When it comes to website building I'm the first to admit my knowledge is almost non-existent. I'm trying to install some forum software but it requires initially setting up a MySQL database for it on the server. I've tried to do some research but everything seems to point towards SSH/telnet and other stuff which I have no idea about. I'm competent with Windows, FTP and that's about it! Can anybody suggest what course of action to take - is this something I should be able to sort out myself or should I just give someone my server details (slightly reluctant!) and pay them to do it for me...
Thanks for reading my frustrated ramblings!

[wheel]

If you're just setting up a forum program, you don't need to learn anything about mysql or how it runs. The forum program will interface with the mysql database without your needing to do anything.

However - you will need access to some information. Specifically you will need three things:
- databasename
- database userid
- database password

This information has to come from your webhost - contact them and ask them for it.

Then somewhere in the configuration files for your forum program there will be a text file you'll need to edit. Inside that text file will be a spot to type in the specifics for those three items.

That's all you should need to know about mysql for your forum.

[Onders]

thanks for that wheel - does my hosting company have to set up a database or is there already one there and they just have to provide me with its name and username and password?

[harbs]

Onders, just to add on, I would also look into learning some basics on using phpmyadmin to manage your mySQL database.

Specifically, you should know how to backup, restore & repair/optimize your database.

I'm no mySQL expert but these basics have served me well so far.

[wheel]

Your hosting company will have to set one up, though they may do this automatically when you sign up. Either way, it's likely included in your hosting.

In terms of backing up your mysql database, phpmyadmin is a good choice. Another one is to just use mysqldump. You need to log on to your webserver account (a program called 'putty' will let you do this) and issue the following command:

mysqldump -u yourmysqlusername -p yourdatabasename -a -B>databasebackup.txt

That will dump your mysql database out to a text file with everything needed to do a full restore. Fine for smaller backups, you'll need something better if you have a large forum.

If you ever needed to restore it, you could issue the following command:

mysql -u yourmysqlusername - <databasebackup.txt

I don't think you need to be concerned with anything else to do with mysql.

[Onders]

thanks to both of you for that - I think you're right about learning a little bit more about what I'm doing, is downloading and reading about Putty a good place to start? At the moment, I don't know much about using commands as I just use a basic FTP programme, but I assume this is going to be a fairly important part of what I need to know for even the most basic dumping/restoring functions..

[mack]

To really get to grips with Mysql it might be a good idea to download it and install it on your PC. You can use this as a learnign zone, without needing to worry about breaking things. If you make a mistake it's not an "in use" database.

Mack.

[Onders]

Thanks Mack - have downloaded it and getting my teeth into it now!