Creating a Database
A Database is used by scripts to store information on a web server. Any paid hosting should come with a database or the ability to create them.
If you already have a Database available to you, you should have 3 items of information in order to access the Database:
- Database name
- User name
- Password
If you don’t have these details, then you will need to log into your Web Hosting Admin panel to create a Database.
In cPanel, look for the MySQL® Databases icon or link and click on it.
This will show you a page showing Current Databases and an input box to create a new Database. Enter a name for your new Database and press the Create Database button.
Now you should have a new Database and obtain the name of this Database (probably with some extra text appended to the name you entered).
Next you need to create a Database User Name and Password in the Current Users area.
Enter your chosen Database User Name and Password and press the Create User button. Now the new User should be created with a modified name to the one you entered.
Make a note of these details (Database Name, User Name and Password). You will need these details to enter into the config.php file of scripts that use the Database.
Finally, you must Add the User to your Database. This allows them to access it. In the drop down lists, select the User and Database, check the All Privileges box and press the Add User to Database button. Now you should see a message that the User was added to the Database.
That’s it you are done!
p.s. near the bottom of this cPanel page there is a link to phpMyAdmin which is a tool to manipulate your Databases. Using this tool you can backup the Database and change data such as your password for a script.
