Dreamweaver/PHP/MySql Basic Query

darossi

Hello, I am hoping someone can assist me with the following query:

I am new to php/sql and am attemting to use it in conjunction with Dreamweaver MX.

I have so far created a MySql Database on my web site (using the control panel provided by my host) and have been able to produce web pages that connect to it and use/display the data contained within the database. I did this by manually typing PHP code into the coding view of my page in dreamweaver and then uploading it to my web space to test. That part works fine.

Unfortunatley, the MySql database is held on my web host's server and for security reasons they do not allow remote connection to the database(s). They can only be accessed by scripts on the server (e.g., like the script contained in the page I mentioned above). I cannot test my PHP code without uploading it to my web space first.

I would ideally like to use Dreamweaver's database features but because of the above issue, I think I can only connect to a database held locally (on my own PC) - which I do not currently have.

1) Would it be possible to create a local version of my MySql database held on the server (with the same/similar content and same user/password etc) and use Dreamweaver to connect to it etc? I have IIS and MySql installed on my computer though have not used them properly before.

2) Would the code need to be altered before I uploaded the site to my web host? (I use the sevrer "localhost" on my web server so I guess that wouldn't need to be changed if the username/password etc were the same?) It should just use the server database instead of the local one?

3) Is there actually any benefit in doing this or am I better off doing everything by code (i'll have to learn it first!)? Are Dreamweaver MX's PHP/Database features any good? Do they enable me to easily use RecordSets etc etc etc?

4) Am I correct in thinking that someone who views a .php page on the web cannot, under any circumstances look at the actual php code? Are usernames/passwords etc secure?

I would greatly appreciate any advice. This is my first post on this forum. Thank you in advance.

planetsim

1) yes its possible, and its highly advised before putting something in a production environment

2) Depends on what code you are using as your using a Windows OS you may need to change things unrelated to MySQL since more than likely you are using Unix based hosting.

3) In doing this I mean do things locally? Yes you can test before putting something live.

As for Dreamweaver I personally dont use it and cant stand it but its suppose to have some good features for databases etc.

4) Yes and no. From a web browser its not possible unless you do something like forget <?php in your files. However that doesnt say that someone may attack your site in some way using e.g. XSS attack and be able to view your source. (XSS is Cross Site Scripting).