PHP: MySQL Database (2024)

With PHP, you can connect to and manipulate databases.

MySQL is the most popular database system used with PHP.

What is MySQL?

MySQL is a database system used on the web
MySQL is a database system that runs on a server
MySQL is ideal for both small and large applications
MySQL is very fast, reliable, and easy to use
MySQL uses standard SQL
MySQL compiles on a number of platforms
MySQL is free to download and use
MySQL is developed, distributed, and supported by Oracle Corporation
MySQL is named after co-founder Monty Widenius's daughter: My

The data in a MySQL database are stored in tables. A table is a collection of related data, and it consists of columns and rows.

Databases are useful for storing information categorically. A company may have a database with the following tables:

Employees
Products
Customers
Orders

PHP + MySQL Database System

PHP combined with MySQL are cross-platform (you can develop in Windows and serve on a Unix platform)

Database Queries

A query is a question or a request.

We can query a database for specific information and have a recordset returned.

Look at the following query (using standard SQL):

SELECT LastName FROM Employees

The query above selects all the data in the "LastName" column from the "Employees" table.

To learn more about SQL, please visit our SQL tutorial.

Download MySQL Database

If you don't have a PHP server with a MySQL Database, you can download it for free here: http://www.mysql.com

Facts About MySQL Database

MySQL is the de-facto standard database system for web sites with HUGE volumes of both data and end-users (like Facebook, Twitter, and Wikipedia).

Another great thing about MySQL is that it can be scaled down to support embedded database applications.

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FAQs

What is PHP MySQL database? ›

MySQL is a Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) that uses Structured Query Language (SQL). It is also free and open source. The combination of PHP and MySQL gives unmet options to create just about any kind of website – from a small contact form to large corporate portal.

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Is PHP MySQL still used? ›

Common Professional Uses for PHP & MySQL

While PHP and MySQL are still used on 80% of websites today, several companies still require employees to be proficient in the language. Here are a few viable areas to consider when you enter the workforce.

How to connect database PHP to MySQL? ›

Open a Connection to MySQL

Example (MySQLi Object-Oriented)Get your own PHP Server. <? $servername = "localhost"; ...
Example (MySQLi Procedural) <? $servername = "localhost"; ...
Example (PDO) <? $servername = "localhost"; ...
MySQLi Object-Oriented: $conn->close();
MySQLi Procedural: mysqli_close($conn);
PDO: $conn = null;

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What is the difference between MySQL and PHP MySQL? ›

PHP is a fast and feature-rich open source scripting language used to develop Web Applications or Internet / Intranet Applications. MySQL is a powerful open source database server built based on a relational database management system (RDBMS) and is capable of handling a large concurrent database connection.

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What is the difference between PHP and SQL database? ›

Both are essential components for building dynamic websites, but they serve different purposes. PHP is used for creating dynamic content and generating HTML pages, while SQL is used for managing and querying data in a database.

Do you need PHP to use MySQL? ›

No, you do not need to learn PHP to use MySQL. MySQL is a popular open-source relational database management system that can be used with various programming languages, including PHP, Python, Java, Ruby, and many more.

Is PHP a dying language? ›

Conclusion. Contrary to the rumors of its demise, PHP continues to thrive as a reliable and powerful programming language for web development.

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Why PHP is obsolete? ›

Lack of Modern Language Features: Some modern language features present in newer languages are missing in PHP. For example, PHP didn't fully support features like proper anonymous functions and closures until later versions.

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What is replacing PHP? ›

Java is one of the most common alternatives to PHP for web development, though it is also used for mobile and desktop applications as well as various Internet of Things software (e.g. for smart cards and other similar devices).

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What is PHP used for? ›

PHP is an open-source, server-side programming language that can be used to create websites, applications, customer relationship management systems and more. It is a widely-used general-purpose language that can be embedded into HTML.

How to create a PHP database in MySQL? ›

PHP Create a MySQL Database

Example (MySQLi Object-oriented)Get your own PHP Server. <? $servername = "localhost"; $username = "username"; $password = "password"; ...
Example (MySQLi Procedural) <? $servername = "localhost"; $username = "username"; ...
Example (PDO) <? $servername = "localhost"; $username = "username";

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Why is PHP not connecting to MySQL? ›

PHP may not be able to connect to the MySQL server if the server name is not recognized. Make sure that the server name is set to localhost. In case of other errors, make sure to consult the error_log file to help when trying to solve any issues. The file is located in the same folder where the script is running.

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Should I learn PHP before MySQL? ›

PHP is a popular scripting language that is well-suited for web development, and it is often used as a server-side language to create dynamic websites. Learning PHP will give you a solid foundation in programming concepts and syntax, which will be helpful as you move on to learning MySQL.