Understanding the basics

Right, first of all we will explain the basic format of a database and username, as this is confusing to a lot of newbies, it took me a while to get used to it.

useraccount_databasename

Your hosting account username ALWAYS comes before the databasename followed by the underscore “_” to avoid confusion you could always call the name the database the same as your account name so say your hosting account name was “JonDoe” you would put JonDoe, so it would show as JonDoe_JonDoe

useraccount_databaseuser

The database username is slightly different as the database user is what your script uses to add entries or tables into the database, or even to query the database and as with the database name your hosting account username always comes first followed by the “_” underscore.

Again for ease of use you could name the database user the same as your hosting account name however we will call it “dbadmin” so you can tell them appart. So it would be typed as JonDoe_dbadmin

Table Prefixes

Some scripts use a table prefix within the database itself for example SMF uses the prefix smf_ some scripts will allow you to change this prefix however you don’t really need to, if it has one preset then just leave it as is. Prefixes also help the user identify which entries belong to which script or installation.

Database Hostname

This is simply the hostname used to connect to whatever database your using in 99% of cases it will be localhost and a lot of scripts nowadays will already have this set but it can always be changed to whatever the hostname is.

Installation

Right now that we understand the basic format of the database name and username we can begin to install the script, for this tutorial we will be installing wordpress as it’s probably one of the most used scripts which is also by far the easiest to install but for a complete novice understanding what to put in for the database related fields can be daunting.

Step 1: Creating Config File

If you want wordpress to create the config file itself then you can click this and if it works you will be taken to the next step however if not you will need to make a simple change to your permissions. Log into cpanel then click file manager, next navigate to the folder wordpress is in which will be in your public_html folder(probably just called wordpress) and then select it it and click change permissions on the panel at the top and set to 777. Now go back to the wordpress install script and try creating the config file again, if you’ve uploaded wp to the public_html folder then simply follow the above process but this time select your public_html folder.

Step 2: Configuration

As we have explained the database format to you earlier in this tutorial you should now have a much better understanding of what to enter.

Database Name: useraccount_databasename

Username: useraccount_databaseuser

Password: password goes here (the one you generated for the database user in our previous tutorial)

Database Host: localhost

Table Prefix: wp_ (no need to change this)

Then simply hit submit.

Step 3: Admin Setup

This is pretty straightforward really and it doesn’t need much explaining as it’s self explanatory, just enter your blog name, email and bobs your uncle. Don’t forget to keep your admin password somewhere safe as it is generated by the installation script but you can easily change it once you log in to something more memorable.

Congratulations!

Well done you just installed your first script, not that hard is it?

Most scripts follow the same format for the database side of things during installation so for future reference you can use the following as a guide although some scripts may not always follow this format.

• Database Name: useraccount_databasename
• Database User: useraccount_databaseuser
• Database Password: use the one you generate in cpanel for the database user, sometimes though scripts just need your hosting account password so if the one you generate doesn’t work try your hosting account password
• Hostname: localhost

Don’t fret, we will guide you through the process of creating a new database and installing that script.

Step 1

This much you should have already figured out by now, log into cpanel and select MySQL Databases there are other types of databases but we dont need those for now.

Step 2

You should see a text area which says above it “Create New Database” yup you guessed it you put the name of the database in here and click create. Keep it simple as chances are you will have to enter it into your script at somepoint, say for example your installing vbulletin, just call it something like forum . Easy peasy so far huh?

Step 3

This is where it starts to get more complicated. Go back to the previous page and then scroll down and you should see an option further down the page which says “Add new User” and like naming the database itself keep the username simple. Then create a password, for extra security it’s probably best if you generate one but you should note this down using notepad or something as you will more than likely need to enter it  uring your script installation after then you probably wont need it again but you can always retreive it from your scripts config file.

Step 4

Now we hit the back button again and this time we need to add the user to the database lets say you named it forum. Scroll down the page where you should see the option “Add user to Database” , now provided you haven’t created any other databases you shouldn’t have to select the database to add the user to, or vice versa however if you have simply select your database and user you just created from the drop down and click add.

Step 5

Were almost there chaps. Now you will have to give your database username whatever privileges you want it o have, this is more for the advanced user who wants extra security but most of you wont really need to configure these privelages so just click the ALL PRIVILEGES check box and then click make changes.

Congratulations!

You’ve just created your first database now navigate on to the next part of our tutorial to find out how to install your first script.