PHP and MySQL are two different technologies that have found favor in the community of web developers
based on their combined strength. This of course has given rise to both technologies finding great success
in the marketplace that they may not have enjoyed otherwise. Those responsible for the two technologies
have worked hard to provide the end users easy to use interfaces and technologies to ensure that the
integration of the two are smooth and support the creation of next generation websites.
User Privileges
MySQL has a very strong authentication system that allows multiple security levels for each user that can
access the server. MySQL's highly effective security system can cause headaches for those trying to break
into the data, but likewise can cause headaches for those that are authorized to access the data. MySQL
sees any requests from PHP in the same way that it sees requests from any other API (such as the mysql
client or MySQL Query Browser) and will require a login name and password to determine what can and
can not be accomplished with the data in the MySQL Server. For the purposes of the training at this point,
the user that will be used (root) has complete access to everything within the database ensuring that there
are no limitations on what can and can not be done. However, this practice is acceptable in a training
environment, but should never be utilized in a system that will be truly accessible by others (like a
website).
PHP MySQL API
PHP and MySQL both offer an Application Programming Interface (API), each creating the ability to
interface between the two technologies. The basics of both API's offer multiple PHP functions which are
capable of performing a wide array of tasks against the data in the MySQL Server. These functions will be
the topic of discussion for this chapter and will provide the tools necessary to complete the majority of
tasks against the data in the MySQL server.
Connecting to MySQL
The most basic request necessary when working with PHP and MySQL is the ability to connect to the
MySQL server itself.
• mysql_connect() - This function (which is a PHP resource type) is used to establish an initial
connection to the MySQL server. Believe it or not, each parameter in the function make-up below is
optional (a connection can be made to MySQL that would have no rights whatsoever):
$link_id = mysql_connect([hostname [:port] [:/path/to/socket][, username] [, password]])
In the case of this training, the hostname will be referred to as 'localhost' due to the fact that the
webserver is local and use 'root' as our username. As far as the password, the password 'training' will
be used; however, check with the instructor to ensure that this is the password that should be used.
The $link_id is not necessary to establish a connection to the MySQL server in either method; however,
when it comes to ensuring that a specific connection is closed, the $link_id can be useful.
based on their combined strength. This of course has given rise to both technologies finding great success
in the marketplace that they may not have enjoyed otherwise. Those responsible for the two technologies
have worked hard to provide the end users easy to use interfaces and technologies to ensure that the
integration of the two are smooth and support the creation of next generation websites.
User Privileges
MySQL has a very strong authentication system that allows multiple security levels for each user that can
access the server. MySQL's highly effective security system can cause headaches for those trying to break
into the data, but likewise can cause headaches for those that are authorized to access the data. MySQL
sees any requests from PHP in the same way that it sees requests from any other API (such as the mysql
client or MySQL Query Browser) and will require a login name and password to determine what can and
can not be accomplished with the data in the MySQL Server. For the purposes of the training at this point,
the user that will be used (root) has complete access to everything within the database ensuring that there
are no limitations on what can and can not be done. However, this practice is acceptable in a training
environment, but should never be utilized in a system that will be truly accessible by others (like a
website).
PHP MySQL API
PHP and MySQL both offer an Application Programming Interface (API), each creating the ability to
interface between the two technologies. The basics of both API's offer multiple PHP functions which are
capable of performing a wide array of tasks against the data in the MySQL Server. These functions will be
the topic of discussion for this chapter and will provide the tools necessary to complete the majority of
tasks against the data in the MySQL server.
Connecting to MySQL
The most basic request necessary when working with PHP and MySQL is the ability to connect to the
MySQL server itself.
• mysql_connect() - This function (which is a PHP resource type) is used to establish an initial
connection to the MySQL server. Believe it or not, each parameter in the function make-up below is
optional (a connection can be made to MySQL that would have no rights whatsoever):
$link_id = mysql_connect([hostname [:port] [:/path/to/socket][, username] [, password]])
In the case of this training, the hostname will be referred to as 'localhost' due to the fact that the
webserver is local and use 'root' as our username. As far as the password, the password 'training' will
be used; however, check with the instructor to ensure that this is the password that should be used.
The $link_id is not necessary to establish a connection to the MySQL server in either method; however,
when it comes to ensuring that a specific connection is closed, the $link_id can be useful.
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