MySQL PHP Web Database Tutorial

This is a tutorial on how to create a web database application using PHP and MySQL on a Linux platform. The example we use is a database to manage web site links. The concepts in this tutorial apply to most web applications such as phone directories, personalization, survey polls, etc... All are based on inserting, displaying and managing data in a database.

This tutorial assumes that you already have your system running with the Apache web server, PHP scripting language, and MySQL database server. (See How To to Install Apache + PHP + MySQL for help with this.) You do not have to be running this setup. The web and database concepts are the same for most web applications. The syntax is just a little different.

You do not need to know SQL (Structured Query Language) for this tutorial. You will learn some simple SQL statements, but this is not a complete SQL tutorial. We cover the four things you ever really want to do with data: read, insert, edit, and delete.

Tutorial Sections

• Getting Started

• Create Database

• Insert Data into Database

• View Data from Database

• Manage Data

Related Links:

Teach Yourself SQL in 10 Minutes ... is an excellent, inexpensive book about SQL. I own a copy. Although it calls itself a “Teach Yourself” book, I use it as a quick, handy reference rather than for lessons. It is small and easy to carry. I use it often because it is well organized and clearly written, making it easy to find what I am looking for. A DBA (database administrator) would require a more detailed and advanced book. For the rest of us, I highly recommend this one.

MySQL Database Server — a fast, multi-threaded, multi-user and robust SQL database server. Documentation available at the MySQL site. Free (GPL)

Tutorial Originally Created: 1999-Sep-01