Where To Start With MySQL ? Trying to learn...

Is there a site with some BASIC info on this? I know this sounds stupid, but what do I need to start off with it? I have no experience with it. Thanks

Hi rtdesigns. Welcome to the world of databases. If you are planning on using MySQL with PHP, then here is my advice. This is the way i've learn mysql for the first time.

here is the checklist of things you need to do before advancing to database connectivity.

1. understanding of HTML programming

2. understanding of Database concept

3. understanding of the defination of Dynamic Web Pages.

4. understanding the functions and the differences of Server Side Scripting and Client Side Scripting.

make sure you understand all above before continue on reading. otherwise, you might just wast your time here.

Ok, if you are ready, this is my advice "Get PHP manual instead".

Download the help file (.CHM) from this link:

http://php.net/download-docs.php

Then, open it and type "MySQL Function". There you will be given the most basic tutorial about MySQL in PHP programming. Happy browsing!

My advice would be to first try to get some idea of relational database designing. The basic concepts of how you should store your data. For example, in relational DBs you should avoid redundancy. It's also important to know about joining tables and such. For this, I'd recommend finding a book of the basics of databases. Here's some: (grabbed these from our universitys database course webpages)Fred McFadden, Jeffrey Hoffer, Mary Prescott: Modern Database Management, Addison-Wesley, 5th Edition, 1999. C.J. Date: An Introduction to Database Systems, Addison-Wesley, 6th Edition, 1995. Thomas Connolly, Carolyn Begg, Anne Strachan: Database Systems, Addison-Wesley, 2nd Edition, 1998. Ullman, J.D.& Widom J. A First Course in Database Systems, Prentice Hall, 1997.After you have some basic knowledge go forth and try it in practise. It is really not that difficult as it might sound, you just need some basic info to get started.