I'm a college junior and it somewhat furiates me that I can't wrap my head around any of this MySQL stuff. I've really been trying the past couple years to try and understand it.. but for some reason, it's just not "clicking" with me. Would somebody be able to give me a basic rundown of how MySQL works?

This is all I know:


MySQL is a databasing program
MySQL works with such programs as PHP MyAdmin


And that's... just about it, haha. I can't even figure out how to use PHPMA. It's interface scares me; when it talks all about the rows, and tables and columns and such- I get confused and leave. When I think of this stuff, I think of tables, as in HTML. But this isn't HTML. It's entirely different and I simply just wonder how it all works :confused:

Anyhow, sorry for the rant. If anybody can help, or can point me in the direction of a site that can help a MySQL dummy, it'd be appreciated :bufly:

I'll take a shot!

>>When I think of this stuff, I think of tables
Good! But not really html tables. If you have ever used Microsoft Excel, or Microsoft Access, then it should be fairly simple to grasp.

OK, so here is the order of organization:
Database > Table > Rows/Columns > Specific Entries

So, the main purpose of a database is to organize information. So you might have a table in your database for users. You would have a column (also called a field) for each of the info-nuggets you want to record about each of your users. Like maybe a field for name, username, email, password, ect.

The purpose of using a database with a website via php, is so that your site can be dynamic (or save/remember information, then use it in a useful manor). Kind of like the user example I just gave you.

On to more of the specific syntax. Since phpMyAdmin is giving you trouble, you should understand a few things first. You could do everything that phpMA can do, with out it (or any other program like it). It is simply to make your life simple.

So how would you manage your database with out phpMA. Well naturally SQL database are accessed and updated using SQL (sequential query language (or something to that effect)). SQL is not to difficult to grasp. Queries usually start with the main action or command, for example:
UPDATE, INSERT, or SELECT. Then you use other commands to specify which table, field, or entry you want to work with.

phpMyAdmin provides a user interface that allows one to select and complete the desired tasks with out having to write any SQL. Pretty nifty once you learn how to use it.

Accessing your database using php is quite simple, IF YOU KNOW PHP (even a little bit) If you don't know any php, then you will need to learn, or find a pre-made script that gets the job done.

Please pardon my bad grammar. I have an excuse though, I'm dyslexic. If you would like I can explain more in detail the relation between PHP and the database.

I hope this wasn't entirely useless (I think I just read this in someone sub-title :) ),
David

http://www.tizag.com

Go there. I think it is the best learning website around. There are tutorials for HTML, CSS, Javascript, VBscript, ASP, AJAX, MySQL, SQL, PHP, and a few others. I learned ```` loads from it. I think you can as well. Check it out.

I actually have to say, that I've never used Excel, I've never used Access, never used Visual Basic... I have zero prior knowledge into the world of database programming.

It confounds me when I go onto all these websites and kids 13, 14, 15, 16 years old can create database-driven websites while somebody like me, a junior in college who has been coding for nearly a decade now, has no idea what this stuff even is! haha.

I do thank you guys for your time and help; I will look around the site you provided. I'm actually there now and it seems to offer a great deal of help in an easy to understand way that, even the dummy books I have can't seem to explain.

Thanks again :)

SCORE FOR LUCAS!!!!! *dances*

glad i could help...The best way to learn the most from that website is to have a place where you can test everything and modify it to see what makes it tweak.

And don't feel bad about people younger than you knowing how to do all this stuff. i'm 15 and been doing this kind of thing for about 2.5 years, and it is all finally clicking to where i can grow and get way better. :) So it has taken me a while as well.

Having a place to test this all out isn't an issue; I own my own server that supports virtually any and all forms of code, and programming... from basic HTML to PHP, ASP, JSP, MySQL, CGI, Perl.. you name it, it supports it.