We have a separate MySQL server using MySQL 5.1.61. To get a database on it, have one of your authorized contacts fill out this form to request a database. You’ll be e-mailed the database information usually by the end of the following week.

MySQL Accounts

When you receive your MySQL account information, you will receive the hostname, the database name, and three database accounts.

If you need to ‘hardcode’ a password into your web pages, you should use the “web read” password. Do not hardcode the full access password into your web pages, and only use the “web write” password if you need the web page to write to the database.

When you hardcode any password into a web file, you should change the file permissions on the file so that only you and ‘other’ can read the file. In Unix, this is ‘chmod uo+r,g-wrx FILENAME’.

Web read account

The web read account can read from the database but cannot change the database, and it can only be used from the main webserver. You will want to use this account for your web pages if the web pages do not need to change the data in the database. Even if the username and password is stolen, it will not allow the hacker to modify your database, nor will it let them read the database unless they have access to run programs on the main webserver.

In MySQL terms, the web read account only has “select” access.

Web write account

The web write account can access the database to view and change data in the database, and it can only be used from the main webserver. You will want to use this account for your web pages if the web pages need to change the data in the database. Note that if the username and password are stolen, this will give the hacker the ability to change data in your database if they can run a program on the main webserver that does this.

In MySQL terms, the web write account has select, update, delete, and insert access.

Web insert account

The web insert account can insert data only. It cannot read data, and it can only be used from the main webserver. You will want to use this account for your web pages if the web pages need only store information in the database. Note that if the username and password are stolen, this will give the hacker the ability to insert data in your database if they can run a program on the main webserver that does this. However, they will not be able to modify or delete data.

In MySQL terms, the web insert account has insert access.

Full access account

The full access account can view and change the data in the database, and it can also alter the structure of the database, including removing tables and adding or removing fields. This account will work from any sandiego.edu computer, so please keep this password extra safe.

MySQL administration tools

There are several tools available for MySQL administration. You should install one on your desktop workstation. Even if the tool allows installation on a Unix system, you should not install it on the main webserver. If you install administration tools in your account on the webserver, you will bypass the security of your database. We give you passwords that can only be used from the webserver. Administration tools on the webserver disable this security.

Request a MySQL database

MySQL databases on the MySQL server are for official departmental accounts and faculty research.

You must log in from your site account or faculty/employee account to request a MySQL database.

More Information

MySQL 5.0 Upgrade	We’ll be upgrading from MySQL 4.0.12 to 5.0.x in January. This is a major upgrade, and you’ll want to test your MySQL applications.
MySQL Perl Module	Documentation for the MySQL Perl module.
MySQL PHP Functions	Database function list for using PHP with MySQL.
MySQL Python Module	Database function list for using the MySQL Python module.
MySQL Reference	The full MySQL manual, including syntax and tutorial.
PHPMyAdmin	PHPMyAdmin is a collection of PHP files that you can customize to connect to your MySQL database account. It runs on any computer that runs PHP.
SequelPro	SequelPro is an easy-to-use management tool for MySQL databases. It runs on Mac OS X.