Learn PHP MySQL Basics

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Working with PHP and MySQL for the very first time can be very difficult especially when working with sessions (I will cover sessions in later topic). This article will tell you the basic things you need to get started with PHP and MySQL on your home computer and the problems you may run into depending on what you are trying to do with the language.

I first want to give you a list of the things that you absolutely would love to have when using PHP and MySQL. TRUST ME, you really really really want to download these and they are all free. The only non-free software you may want to get is Dreamweaver but heres the free list with the website you can get them at:

· EasyPHP – http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=14045

· PHPMyAdmin – http://www.phpmyadmin.net/home_page/downloads.php

· MySQL 5.0 – http://dev.mysql.com/downloads/mysql/5.0.html#downloads

· PHP 5.2.6 – http://www.php.net/downloads.php

EasyPHP will set up the server you need in order to run your PHP script. Since PHP is processed through a server and not on your computer, this program acts as the server.
MUST KNOW FACT: EasyPHP will set up a folder named “www”. You need to save all of your files into this folder. Your homepage file should be named “index”!!! You name it index so when you use your home server, this will automatically come up as your homepage. Your server address is “127.0.0.1”. You need to type this (“127.0.0.1”) into your browser (i.e. Internet Explorer) as the url to your homepage. This will allow you to see what your website looks like exactly how it will look like on a real website.

PHPMyAdmin is the user friendly “handling system” for MySQL. It is easier to see the tables of information of what you are trying to store within your databases. You may want to look at MySQL 5.0’s help manual on how to input information into the database.

MySQL 5.0 allows you to store information into a database. You will automatically have this if you install PHPMyAdmin. However, PHPMyAdmin does not have the manual for MySQL 5.0 so downloading this may be essential just for the manual itself.

PHP 5.2.6 is just the language you need to update your PHP server. I would check the site I gave to you often for PHP updates.

EasyPHP and PHPMyAdmin are a MUST HAVE and MySQL 5.0 and PHP 5.2.6 are used as references, updates, and help for PHP and MySQL. Please don’t waste your time like I did. If you have any problems at all, please feel free to leave comments below and I will try to respond to those comments below. I will eventually set up an email account for you to email me your questions. Also, check for new posts on this topic. I will try to work on adding other NEED TO KNOW PHP and MySQL tips.

Old URL: http://spadyville.com/learn-php-mysql-basics-blog

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