Tutorial: WordPress and your MySQL Database

If you're having problems setting up your MySQL for use with WordPress, you might wish to take a look at your wp-config.php file.

The sample file that comes with your WordPress installation kit is named wp-config-sample.php, which you'll have to edit and save as wp-config.php

Here are some lines near the top of that file:

define('DB_NAME', 'wordpress'); // The name of the database
define('DB_USER', 'username'); // Your MySQL username
define('DB_PASSWORD', 'password'); // ...and password
define('DB_HOST', 'localhost'); // 99% chance you won't need to change this value

The main stumbling block is this: When you create a MySQL database named "wordpress" in your web site, the actual name is not "wordpress"; rather, it is websiteusername_wordpress. Same thing happens with "username".

The key points to remember are:
1. Create the database.
2. Create the user.
3. Add the user to the database. (I often forget this third step and end up wondering why I couldn't install WordPress.)

You can view the online video tutorial or screencast at:
http://www.viloria.net/tutorials/wp-mysql/
[ First posted on 06/02/2005 by Manuel Viloria ]