Okay, I'm learning PHP... as you've seen from my previous post, I'm completely GREEN but I *have* to learn it all and quickly.

I contacted my server and yes, they handle PHP, yes they have MySQL available..

Here is what they told me when I asked them about the availability of MySQL:

"Yes mysql is on all the servers. we require a connector and disconnector written in PHP3 for the access to The Mysql database. Create this with your table names etc.. and upload it to the server contact us back with the page name and lines of the connection string. we will take a look at it and set-up the tables once the code is approved."

Okay.. what the heck does *that* mean? Connector? Disconnector? Written?

I'm totally confused. I hope someone here can help me.

Thanks in advance,

Tee

Hmm never heard of that before. Sounds like what they want is some kind of mysql class that you do all your commands through,.

But either way, if they have such rescrictions on how to use it, go with a different host. A decent host should not tell you how to use it and what to use to use it etc...

Thanks so much for your reply.

So, what they said isn't something "normal"? I just don't understand why they would do this... I've been with this company for 7 years, you'd think, since I'm such a good customer (I host all my sites with them) they'd be a bit more helpful, eh!



Tee

Nope it's not normal, at least I never heard of it. I've only been on 2 hosts, a crappy one, and the curent which is good, and both I could manage databases through cpanel, and use them any way I wanted. (well legally obviously) Some hosts will limit you on how many databases you can have, but that's usually not a huge problem. Even a site the size of this one only uses about 4 databases. One for the forum, one for the articles, one for the front page news and one for security.

If they're still talking about PHP3 then you have to move on and go with someone else. Clearly they're way behind the times.

Yep, try to get a host with at least php 4.x php 5 is even better. On my LAN server I have php 4.3 or something like that, but sooner or later I should consider to upgrade.

A host that provides PHP5 should provide PHP4 as well, for compatibility reasons. If they don't, then you're probably going to find the account limiting.

I'm pretty sure php5 supports everything php4 does. At least I hope so, since if not, that could be a big problem for php developers.

PHP has never been good at maintaining compatibility between releases.

This is interesting. Yes, the server I use is still using PHP3.. I guess, since this is a huge contract site I have, that I should really look at moving to a new hosting service at least for this one right now... then I'll look into moving my other sites. I hate it cause I've used this one for so many years, and have built up my reseller account quite nicely. But I guess as usual with things like this, one must move up and move on.

If anyone has any good suggestions of a host that has the things I need for a site that will have a password/username area, good support, PHP 4, MySQL, and isn't going to want my first born.. I'm all ears.

Feel free to contact me privately at tchapman at dsgnworks.com (obviously you'll have to put that address together! LOL)

Thanks everyone, for your replies and your help.

Tee

You might want to try and coax your host into changing, it might work, espeiclaly if you tell them that you will be moving all your sites.

I did that... they seem to be ignoring me. I'm checking into a couple hosting companies now.

Tee