Need explanation for these SQL things

[wolfcry044]

I've been reading guide after guide, and I have not found any real down to earth explanations for some things. I've been only learning PHP and SQL for a few days now, so please bear that in mind.
I'll list the things I need help on in here. I just basically need to know what they do, and what they are used for in an easy as possible way to understand. I've learned tons over the past few days, but I'm not good with syntax and stuff yet. I know basically how most things work. I've created applications, hooked up to database, drawn information from it, etc. if you go to www.uafclan.com you will see a few things I've been working on. I've done tons of tutorials, and made lots of little things doing those tutorials.

Anyway, Here's the list of things I would very much like to understand better how they work, what they are for, etc. Thank you so much, this will help me a ton!

1.type:
Example- mediumint, smallint, etc. What are all those for?

2.Collation

3. Attributes

4. NULL

5. Default

6. Extra

7. Index What's that do?

8. Primary Is that the same as Index? what's it do?

9. Unique [I'm guess that's the default for everything.

10. Length/Values- That is just to determine how long the characters will be right?
    If so, is it bad to set them all to 255? I'm not sure if it drains the database if I set them all to 255 or not.

11. Comments- I know what comments are, but what do they do here? Just for reference?

12. Charset

[jignesh1]

1. type = type is like datatype in php wat kind of data u going 2 store in that column
   for example if u have invoicedate column u will set type to date or datetime

[Rodney_H_]

All the answers/explanations are in Larry Ullman's MySQL book (2nd edition) and is available on Amazon for less than 20 bucks: http://www.amazon.com/MySQL-Second-Visual-QuickStart-Guide/dp/0321375734/sr=1-3/qid=1167886739/ref=sr_1_3/002-7583439-4195217?ie=UTF8&s=books

You can stop over at your local bookshop during lunch hour and find out everything without spending a dime, if you prefer... 😉

[wolfcry044]

Thanks. Does that book cover PHP as well?

[Rodney_H_]

No. But answers most of your basic to intermediate questions about MySQL DBs.

He does, however, have a book out about PHP and MySQL, that is very good. The one I recommended is more for DBs. If you want to learn both, I suggest "PHP and MySQL for Dynamic Web Sites: Visual QuickPro Guide (2nd Edition)": http://www.amazon.com/PHP-MySQL-Dynamic-Web-Sites/dp/0321336577/sr=1-1/qid=1167887203/ref=sr_1_1/002-7583439-4195217?ie=UTF8&s=books

[wolfcry044]

Ok, thanks.
yea, I'm learning both SQL and PHP. I've learned HTML, and CSS, I've been graphics designing for about 5 years now, and enjoy flash design on the side. : D
PHP is a big step up however. I did not imagine the syntax would be so complex, but then again I've never went into programming languages until now...

[Rodney_H_]

Congratulations, and welcome to the dynamic world of PHP.

Here are two great online tutorials: (there are many, many others online, too)

1) http://www.tizag.com/phpT/

2) http://devzone.zend.com/node/view/id/627

[wolfcry044]

Sweet, thanks! I've already read the first one a few times. I have not come across the second link yet. Thanks a ton!