PHP & MySQL - Where do I start?

seib3184

I just registered an account with Dreamhost where I have access to both MySQL & PHP. I've been reading through tutorials on the web about both and I bought and started reading Core PHP Programming.

How do I get started using PHP with MySQL though? What I mean is, I know how to create a simple PHP script in a website, but how do I add information to a database and have PHP interact with that. I realize not everyone uses the same host as I do but there must be a universal way of adding data to the database, right?

Lets say for example the database is called database its stored at mysql.domain.com and I have a username & password. Is there anyone I can connect to it via SSH or something through the command line and add information? I've been searching the web now for a week and I've yet to come up with anything useful.

Thank in advance,

Jay

stenk

Does your web host offer you a Control Panel to view your MySQL Db? Most have some sort of Control Panel that will allow you to add Tables\Data etc... to your database

Check out php.net for ways to connect to a Mysql Db what you need to know etc...

eoghain

If you have shell access to your host account you can use the mysql command line shell. Type mysql at the prompt if it says you need a password to access then use mysql -p.

If you can't access it that way, check to see if you host has phpMyAdmin installed for your use, if they do then use that, if not then load it up yourself for your own use (sourceforge for phpmyadmin).

As for accessing that data inside of PHP for your site, there are many, many tutorials and books on the subject, I'm sure Core PHP has plenty of information on this. If it doesn't help look at the tutorials on this site they should help point you in the right direction.