PHP & MySQL – The Engine and the Cabinet

To understand how dynamic websites work, think of a busy restaurant:

• MySQL Database = Kitchen/Pantry: Stores all raw ingredients (posts, user data, settings) in organized bins.
• PHP = Chef: Takes an order, grabs the right ingredients from the database, "cooks" them into a webpage, and serves it to the visitor.

1. What is PHP? (The Engine)

PHP is a Server-Side Scripting Language. Code runs on the server before the webpage reaches the browser.

• Dynamic Content: Unlike static sites, PHP can show personalized content (e.g., "Hello, John!" vs. "Hello, Jane!").
• The Brains: Handles logic—checks passwords, processes contact forms, calculates shopping carts.

2. What is MySQL? (The Cabinet)

MySQL is a Relational Database Management System (RDBMS). It stores all the information that makes your website unique in structured tables.

• Every blog post and page you’ve written.
• Every visitor comment.
• Site settings (site title, theme choice).
• User account details (encrypted passwords, emails).

3. How They Work Together (The 4-Step Cycle)

1. The Request: Browser requests a page (e.g., yourdomain.com/blog-post-1).
2. The Query: PHP asks MySQL: "Give me the text and title for Blog Post #1."
3. The Fetch: MySQL retrieves the data and sends it back to PHP.
4. The Assembly: PHP wraps the text in your website theme (HTML/CSS) and sends the finished page to the browser.

4. Managing Your Database: phpMyAdmin

You don’t need coding knowledge to manage your database. Most hosting plans, including Jiinubi, include phpMyAdmin, a visual tool to explore your "Cabinet."

Pro-Tip: You can manually reset a WordPress password here if the "lost password" email isn’t working.

5. Performance & Versions

• Use the Latest PHP: Upgrading from PHP 7.4 to PHP 8.x can make your site up to 2x faster and more secure.
• WP-Config File: This file tells PHP which database name and password to use to connect to the MySQL "Cabinet."