MySQL databases are used with a lot of applications and is a very powerful database program. Creating a mySQL database is a relatively easy process, but there are some pitfalls. Follow these instructions and you will be on your way:
- Log into the control panel for your site.
- Click on "MySQL Database."
You will now see a list of the databases for the site. If you have not created a mySQL database yet, you will see the boxes to do so.
- Next the box marked "Db:" put in the name you want the database to have.
- Click on "Add Db" right next to the box you just typed in the name.
You should now see a screen which says the database was created. But you are not finished yet.
- Click on "Go Back."
You will now see, at the top of the screen, your newly created database.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Your database is NOT named the same as you just entered it. The software has added your login name to the beginning of the database name. For example if your login to this site is fred and the name you entered in for the database is flintstone, the name of the database is fred_flintstone. This is an important note in that whenever you want to access this database you have to use this "fred_flintstone" name.
Now that you have created a database, you must create a user to be able to access the database. If you don't give someone permission to access it (i.e, create a user) the database is worthless.
To create a user do the following:
- Scroll down until you see the section marked "Users."
- Enter in a name for the user next to the box marked "Username."
- Enter in a password for this user in the box marked "Password."
- Click on "Add User."
Now you have just created a user. You will see a screen telling you the account was created. But you are not finished.
- Click on the "Go Back."
NOTE: The user you just created will NOT be named just as you created it. The software will add your login name to the beginning just like it did for the database.
The last step you must do is tell the database that the user you just created can access it. You do that by the following:
- Look for the section of boxes just above the users section and just above the box where you entered/created a database. It should have the user name and database you just created in the drop-down boxes.
- To add a user to a database, simply select the user you want in the first drop-down box and then the database in the second box and click the "Add User to Db" button.
You should now see a screen that says the "Account was added to Access List." Now click on "Go Back."
You have now created a database, created a user to access the database, given the user a password, and can now use these settings in any program that asks for them. Just remember the database name (and the user name) will start with the account's login name. The password will be exactly as you entered it into the box.
