Hi, I'm trying to get my head around using MySQL rather than XML. Is there a way I can test my code using a local MySQL database. My host doesn't allow remote DB connections and I often work on my laptop where I might not have internet connectivity.

I think what you are looking for is XAMPP

 

XAMPP is an easy to install Apache distribution containing MySQL, PHP and Perl. XAMPP is really very easy to install and to use - just download, extract and start.

Or possibly Wamp, thats what i use.

excellent, many thanks. I'll give that a go in the morning.

If you go to portable apps you can set up xampp on a memory stick and have it ready wherever you are.

Abyss is another good one - very easy to set up and run. Used this for 2 years now with no problems

I've got WAMPserver running no problem and have created a test database. Now I'm trying to connect to it using dreamweaver CS4 and it's just not connecting. The localhost and phpmyadmin work fine so it must be something not quite right in dreamweaver. Any of you have experience with this or know of any guides?

its ok, I've manged to do it

 

After all that messing around it turns out my firewall was the culprit

 

I'm now going away from my computer before I try to strangle it.