How do I know if I have installed MySQL properly?

[Stahler]

Hi folks. Im running WInXP Pro. I installed MySQL. Im currently have plenty of difficulty with PHP and Dreamweaver MX and want to isolate the problem. I can use MySQL at the dos prompt. I can make, delete and edit databases and tables. I can use the MYSQL control centre too. Am I to assume that because of this that MySQL has been installed properly and that it is not the source of the problem?

In addition, What is ODBC?

Help much appreciated,
Doug

[csn]

ODBC
Abbreviation of Open DataBase Connectivity, a standard database access method developed by Microsoft Corporation. The goal of ODBC is to make it possible to access any data from any application, regardless of which database management system (DBMS) is handling the data. ODBC manages this by inserting a middle layer, called a database driver , between an application and the DBMS. The purpose of this layer is to translate the application's data queries into commands that the DBMS understands. For this to work, both the application and the DBMS must be ODBC-compliant -- that is, the application must be capable of issuing ODBC commands and the DBMS must be capable of responding to them. Since version 2.0, the standard supports SAG SQL.

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/O/ODBC.html