can I change the DB name?

[surfsteve]

This might sound stupid but I'm setting up the database and I'm wondering if I can change the database name.

I'm not sure if it's important or how it works or what I am naming. Am I picking the name of the file? I'm thinking some programs might need a default or specific name and that I can probably change it if I need but I just want to be sure before I name my DB that I can change it if I need to without paying another ten bucks!


Maybe I'm doing it backwards and I should be installing the forum software first and it might tell me what to name the data base. I'm kind of learning as I go. Does it make any difference?

[alphadesk]

I don't think you can change the name once you name your DB. When you order mysql DB you will be asked to give it a name. It will need to be unique to the powweb system, but really does not matter what it is named. Just pick something easy to remember for you.
When you install something that will use the DB, it will ask for the DB name, server the DB is on, DB username and password for that DB username. This will not be the same username and password as your FTP or OPS unless you set it up that way.

[surfsteve]

Thanks Alpha,

Do you think I need to read a MySql FAQ before proceeding or should I just muddle my way thru till I get stuck like I normally do. Maybe you could suggest a good place to start (if and when I get stuck). I'm thinking mysql.com is best or will that confuse me?

I've sent them enough money to purchase three databases and what I'm thinking of doing is setting up all of the forum softwares I've been reading about and testing them out.

So I'll just name the data bases surfsteve 1, 2,and 3 and I'll be able to do whatever I want with them and change the programs that are using them and their contents whenever I want?

READY, FIRE AIM!
Am I on the right track?

[alphadesk]

You really don't need 3 DB. When you install phpBB and some others, not sure which ones, there is a field that will be named prefix. This field names all the tables phpBB_tablename created with that prefix for all those tables. Now when you install another like ibf, it will have a prefix ibf for it. It will name all the tables with that prefix ibf_tablenames.

Get the idea. So just jump off in the deep end, if we see you go down twice we'll throw you a line. :D

[surfsteve]

Lol... ok... I'll just name my DB surfsteveDB and then see if I can figure out how to get it going. I'll just jump right in at the deep end and if I have trouble and survive take some swimming lessons!

[surfsteve]

OK... I got the PHPBB up and running and was surprised how easy it was. I like the features but now I want to install another software but I don't quite understand about how the MySql database works.

So what you are saying is that I can have several forums all sharing the same database file? (or am I making several data base files... I'm confused) And if I install another forum it will share that file? Wont that increase the chances of corrupting the database file? Wouldn't it be a good idea to set up another mysql for each forum to keep them all separate? I don't think I understand the concept of MySql. I'm so impressed with this forum that I'm tempted not to test anymore out but I really should or I wont know what I'm missing... if it aint broke... keep messing with it some more!

[ciscokid]

You really only need one DB file. What you do when you setup the different forums is set up a prefix name in the DB config file. so when you create the tables for the forum software you will have new tables in the DB. On my website I have three different sub-domains all running PHPNuke and PHPBB and all are on the same DB. I use PHPMyAdmin to check on the DB.

What has helped me is checking out the different forums and the PHP Nuke sites and reading the Readme files.:D

[surfsteve]

I just read the invisionboard instructions and it talked about prefix
It said I only need to change the prefix if I'm installing multiple copies of Invisionboard


I don't recall anything about prefix when installed phpbb. It probably asked me and I ignored it. Did I screw up in not naming the prefix or can I just name the new one if I install a second copy of PHPBB and not worry about the first one?


So when I back up each forum I take it that it looks for the prefix and only backs up that forum and not the whole database?


I think I'm beginning to understand. It treats each entry as if it were a separate entity... almost as if it were a file within a file but because it's not and is all one file it can search it's self and relate information?

[Paul E]

The default database prefix for phpBB is 'phpbb'. If you didn't change that setting when you installed the board, it will be fine. Just don't install another phpBB without changing it's prefix. :D

It helps me to think of the DB (MySQL) as a spreadsheet.....

All of the 'phpbb' tables are on one page, and any other prefix that you setup will use data on another page of the 'spreadsheet'. They will not conflict with each other at all.

[surfsteve]

I just installed invision board... I think I like PHPBB much better. It was way easier to install. I don't know why I'm even bothering to mess with other forum software. It blows my old snitz forum totally away. Odds are I'll be uninstalling Invision Board real soon.


I'm off to work for a bit... but hey... what's this PHP nuke? I'm at the home page and it looks like forum software... How does it compare to PHPBB?

[ciscokid]

PHPNuke is more than forum software although the beta 6.5 will have PHPBB included. PHPNuke is a CMS or Content Management Software. Make it so eady to run a total website and give you r users some extras.