Newbie here... totally lost with this MySQL stuff, help!

EngravEER · 11-14-2008, 10:36 PM

Greetings from West Virginia!

Web design newbie here who's stuck on the Database configuration screen in the Calendar setup. I have NO programming or MySQL Database experience.

Do I have to go into the PHPmyAdmin section on my web host (Verio) and create a database for E-PHP-C from scratch? If so, I'm in deep do-do because I have no idea how to do that. The Database config screen in the Calendar setup is asking for things like "Database Host", "Database Name", "Set Database Type to UTF8". Yikes! I have no idea what to enter

I can't find any documentation in the FAQ or online here explaining IN VERY SIMPLE TERMS how to setup a database to get E-PHP-C functioning to the point where I can add events. I have all the Calendar files uploaded to my webhost, but am just completely stuck on this database thing. Please help!!

ve9gra · 11-15-2008, 07:22 AM

If you already have a CMS (PHP-Nuke, Joomla, WordPress, etc.) then you already have a database that you can use. In fact, you have to use the same database if you intend on integrating the calendar on your own pages.

If your website doesn't currently use a database, then yes you will have to create a database. Usually hosts will give you a simple "Create a database" wizard type tool. All you will need is the database name, a username, and a password. That's the same info that you will need to provide in the Calendar's Setup Manager. As for the database host, it's usually "localhost". Should that not work, your web host will be able to provide you with the correct setting.

ve9gra · 11-15-2008, 07:23 AM

Oh, and should your host not provide you with a wizard for creating a database, I can give you the steps to properly create a database in phpMyAdmin.

EngravEER · 11-15-2008, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ve9gra

Oh, and should your host not provide you with a wizard for creating a database, I can give you the steps to properly create a database in phpMyAdmin.

Yes, a simple walk-thru in creating a database on my webhost through phpMyadmin would be fantastic.

To my knowledge, I do not currently have a database on my webhost. Also, I don't see a simple database creation wizard in phpMyAdmin. The data for the calendar on my existing site is stored in a cgi/bin subdirectory I believe. I have no idea what a CMS is. I just purchased Xsite Pro to redo my site and plan to download Wordpress so that I can incorporate a blog with it, but I'm not nearly that far along yet.

Guess I'm confused on the following... Do I have to create a database AND setup its structure (i.e. name fields, etc.) before using it with E-PHP-C? Or am I essentially just creating a blank database, providing E-PHP-C with all of its details on the Calendar Setup page (i.e. "Database Host", "Database Name", "User ID", "Password", etc.) and then letting E-PHP-C actually create its structure and contents? If I'm simply creating a new database name and letting E-PHP-C take care of the rest, I should be OK if you can walk me through the simple steps of doing it. If I have to do any "programming", then it's time for me to throw-in the towel LOL!

Also, I have no idea how to answer on "Set Database Type to UTF8"? Right now I have a 50/50 chance of getting that correct!

Again, thanks in advance for taking the time to respond to what I know are very simpleton questions and for walking me through the steps to get me going.

ve9gra · 11-15-2008, 04:26 PM

All that is required from you is to get a database created... The Setup Manager will take care of creating the table and its structure. As for the UTF-8 mode, this is ususally only required for languages that have accented characters.

The wizard for creating a database would not be within phpMyAdmin... it would be on your host panel (cPanel or the like). If you don't have that, it's really easy to create one in phpMyAdmin. And the easiest way to set it up and have the proper permissions is to create a user. During that process, it'll ask you if you want to create a database that has the same name as the username, and assign all permissions to the user you just created.

Here's the step-by-step:
-login to your phpMyAdmin
-click "Privileges" on the home screen
-click the "Add a new User" link
-provide the username
-set host to "local" in the drop-down
-provide the password, and verify
-under the "Database for user", select "Create database with same name and grant all privileges"
-don't change anything under the "Global privileges" section

That is all.

EngravEER · 11-17-2008, 12:59 AM

Gervais... thanks so much for your help with this. I understand this whole thing a little better now!

Discovered I already had a blank database on my webhost and got it configured per your instructions.

Should note though that on the phpMyAdmin home screen there was no setting to allow me to alter Privileges. All I saw was a line that said "No Privileges". Good thing I didn't need to change it! Must've been some Privileges on my blank database though because it seems to be working fine.