How to Create a Database in DirectAdmin

What is a database?

A database is an organized store of information. Think of a filing cabinet with labeled drawers. WordPress keeps posts, pages and settings in one. MySQL is a popular type of database system.

To use a database, you need three things:

• A database name, which is the cabinet itself.

  

• A database user, which is the person allowed to open it.
• A password for that user.

Steps

1. Log in to DirectAdmin.
2. Open MySQL Management. It is in the Account Manager or Extra Features area.
3. Click Create New Database.

   

   

4. Type a name for the database. DirectAdmin adds your account name in front, for example youruser_. You only type the end part, such as blog.
5. Type a name for the database user. This also gets the prefix.
6. Type a password. Click the Random button if you want DirectAdmin to make a strong one.
7. Click Create.

The next page shows the full database name, the full user name and the host. Write them down in a safe place. You need all three later.

The host

The host is the address of the database server. For a site on the same hosting account, it is normally localhost. This means "this same server".

Use the database

When you install an app by hand, it asks for these details:

1. Database name: the full name, with the prefix.
2. Database user: the full user name, with the prefix.

   

3. Password: the one you set.
4. Host: usually localhost.

Look inside the database

Use phpMyAdmin, which is a web tool for viewing a database. Open it from DirectAdmin and log in with your database user.

Deleting a database

Warning: deleting a database removes all its data for good. Take a backup first. Do this only if you are sure that no website uses it.

Quick recap

• A database stores the data of your website.
• Open MySQL Management and click Create New Database.

  

• Choose a name, a user and a password.
• Write down the full names and the host.
• Back up before you delete any database.