Connecting Scripts to MySQL Databases
Overview
In order for your MySQL database to work as intended, it will need a script calling or querying the database for the information it stores. In order to do this, you must connect your script to the database with the use of a configuration file. If you are unsure where your configuration file is, check this list of different scripts to find its location: Location of Script Configuration Files.
Configuration Settings:
Database-driven scripts, such as WordPress, WHMCS, and Joomla, will generally have a default configuration file ready for you to edit with the appropriate information. Below you will find examples of what this access information will look like:
Hostname = localhost (literally put localhost)
Database name = (cpanelUsername_databaseName)
Database username = (cpanelUsername_databaseUsername)
Database password = (whatever you picked)
WordPress Example:
Username = joe1337 , Database name = joe1337_wrdp1 , Database-user name = joe1337_wp1 , Database-user password = eHTb7%Pxa9
// ** MySQL Settings ** //
/** The name of the database for WordPress */
define('DB_NAME', 'joe1337_wrdp1');
/** MySQL database username */
define('DB_USER', 'joe1337_wp1');
/** MySQL database password */
define('DB_PASSWORD', 'eHTb7%Pxa9');
/** MySQL hostname */
define('DB_HOST', 'localhost');
Note: When you move databases to our servers, the database name and username may change. This change must be updated in your script code. (The database name and username can be found in the MySQL Databases tool under the Databases category of your cPanel.)
The database user name cannot be changed to something on shared servers without the cPanel user name. This is to keep database names and usernames from conflicting with other people on the server.
While someone can use their cPanel username and password to connect to the database, we NEVER recommend doing this because every time you change or reset your cPanel password, your databases will stop working and need their configuration files updated.
If you need to connect to your database remotely using an application, please see our related articles on Remote Database Connection Setup and Managing Your Database with Applications.
If you need further assistance, feel free to contact us via Chat or Phone:
- Chat Support - While on our website, you should see a CHAT bubble in the bottom right-hand corner of the page. Click anywhere on the bubble to begin a chat session.
- Phone Support -
- US: 888-401-4678
- International: +1 801-765-9400
You may also refer to our Knowledge Base articles to help answer common questions and guide you through various setup, configuration, and troubleshooting steps.