[Tutorial] MySQL Basics

nniehoff · #1 18-Mar-2003, 13:24

I know Perl, and PHP (a little), but I need to learn how to use MySQL so I was wondering if anyone knows of any good php, perl, or MySQL tutorial/reference sites?
Nick

Elmseeker · #2 18-Mar-2003, 17:27

for php and php/mysql and how they work together I like Evil Walrus www.evilwalrus.com

JdS · #3 19-Mar-2003, 04:51

Just ask Nick and I might even write whole articles just for you

nniehoff · #4 19-Mar-2003, 07:55

Evil Walrus is down. JdS, with all of the wonderful luck I am having

I would really appreciate any help you could give me. Thanks,
Nick

JdS · #5 19-Mar-2003, 08:07

MySQL is really simple, so tell us what you want to do and we will try to post some sample code here.

nniehoff · #6 19-Mar-2003, 08:12

Well I need to learn the basics about MySQL and how it works and the neat things that it will do. I am working on a quiz/survey script. I am using a win 2k system with everything on it. I don't know if I will use Perl or PHP, or maybe both.

Nick

JdS · #7 19-Mar-2003, 08:52

Here's how you could connect to a MySQL database:

PHP Code:


<?php

//  Establishing a (MySQL) database connection with PHP

//  Connecting...
$conn = mysql_connect( 'localhost', 'username', 'password' );
//  If error, halt the script...
if( !$conn ):
  echo 'Could not connect... try again later.';
  exit;
endif;

//  Which database to use?
$db = mysql_select_db( 'dbname', $conn );
//  If error, halt the script...
if( !$db ):
  echo 'Could not select the database... try again later.';
  exit;
endif;

// The rest of your PHP code...
?>

I personally would use mysql_pconnect() only if my website was on a dedicated server. If on a shared / virtual host, I would stick with mysql_connect().

nniehoff · #8 19-Mar-2003, 16:49

So how do I make the structure of a new db?
Nick

JdS · #9 20-Mar-2003, 02:31

To create a MySQL database table, listed below are some of the available options:

If you have shell access, you can use the mysql client program to create and use databases - but, you don't even want to go there if you're just starting out.
A 3rd party PHP script that allows you to manage your MySQL databases. e.g. www.phpmyadmin.net.
Just create [gid=http://www.desilva.biz/mysql/createtbl.html]a PHP file that will create a MySQL database table for you[/gid]. e.g. like in an install.php.

Let's say you want to create a table named: members in the database named nicksdb. The structure of this fictitious table is something like this:

Code:

DATABASE: nicksdb
TABLE: members

id  |fname    |email                |www
----+---------+---------------------+----------------
1   |george   |george@example.com   |www.example.com
2   |saddam   |saddam@example.org   |www.example.org
3   |tony     |tony@example.net     |www.example.net

In other words, this db table will contain 4 columns. You create this table and the four columns much like you would an MS Access database table - defining the column type, size, etc...

A sample php page that would create this particular sample database table could look something like this:

PHP Code:


<?php

//  FILENAME: INSTALL.PHP
//  ---------------------

//  Establishing a (MySQL) database connection with PHP

//  Connecting...
$conn = mysql_connect( 'localhost', 'nniehoff', '0123456' );
//  If error, halt the script...
if( !$conn ):
  echo 'Could not connect... try again later.';
  exit;
endif;

//  Which database to use?
$db = mysql_select_db( 'nicksdb', $conn );
//  If error, halt the script...
if( !$db ):
  echo 'Could not select the database... try again later.';
  exit;
endif;

// Now create your table: members
echo "<p>Creating table: 'members'....</p>";
$sql = 'CREATE TABLE `members` (
        `id` TINYINT( 3 ) UNSIGNED NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT,
        `fname` VARCHAR( 50 ) NOT NULL,
        `email` VARCHAR( 40 ) NOT NULL,
        `www` VARCHAR( 255 ) NOT NULL,
        PRIMARY KEY ( `id` )
       )';
mysql_query( $sql, $conn );

?>

Now when you bring up this file; install.php on your browser, it should create a table named members in the database named nicksdb!

nniehoff · #10 21-Mar-2003, 10:09

How many tables can one db hold and how do you create relationships between them? Also "TINYINT( 3 ) UNSIGNED NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT" these are really cool constrainsts to put on a field in a table but what all can be used and what do they do?
Nick

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[Tutorial] MySQL Basics

Connecting to the MySQL database.

Create a new MySQL database table