Using PHAkT v1.0: Connecting to a MySQL Database using JDBC

Using PHAkT v1.0

Connecting to a MySQL Database using JDBC

Connecting to a MySQL Database from within UltraDev can be a little daunting, especially if you're new to UltraDev. There are currently two ways you can do this. The first is using an ODBC connection, and the second is using a JDBC connection.

This tutorial covers the second option, JDBC. If you are a Macintosh user then a JDBC connection is your only option. However, this tutorial applies equally to users of the PC or Macintosh versions of UltraDev.

To complete the tutorial you will need to install the MySQL JDBC Driver. I have designed an extension that makes this process simplicity itself. Download the extension from here , and install it into UltraDev using the Extension Manager. There is nothing to configure, once the extension has installed, restart UltraDev and the JDBC Driver is ready for use.

Done that ? Great. Now we can create that connection !

Start UltraDev and open or create a page. Open the Data Bindings palette (Ctrl+F10, or Window->Data Bindings).

Click on the Define Connection button, and you should get a large window looking like this :-

Use the following points to help you complete this form :-

In the UltraDev Connection Section

1. Connection Name: Should always start with 'conn' for example 'connMyDatabase'. This is so that whenever you look at the source code you will know immediately that any occurrence of connMyDatabase refers to your connection.
2. DB Type: Should in this instance be set to MySQL. If you now click on the check radio button if nothing happens the MySQL JDBC driver is installed correctly.
3. Host: This is the Hostname or IP Address of your MySQL server (I personally always use the IP Address).
4. URL: This is where most people make a mistake, in that they replace all of the original value in this box, you should NOT delete this value. The original value in this box will be jdbc:mysql://hostname/DB_NAME. This will be slightly different depending on what you entered in the hostname box. You should replace DB_NAME with the name of the Database you wish to connect to. Remember that this name should not contain any punctuation or spaces.
5. User Name: This should be your MySQL Username
6. Password: This should be your MySQL Password

In the PHP Connection Section

1. dB Type: Should be set to MySQL.
2. Host: Should be the Hostname or IP Address of the MySQL Server.
3. User Name: Should be your MySQL Username (yes, you have already entered this above)
4. Password: Should be your MySQL Password (yes, you have already entered this too).

Why do you have to duplicate the MySQL information ? Well, there are times when you want to work using one server for development, and another server for actual deployment. In these situations, before deploying your site you would edit the connection, and enter the information for your deployment MySQL server in the PHP Connection section above. When you do this the two sets of information will be different.

Once you have completed this form, click on Test. An alert box should pop up saying 'Connection was made successfully'. Click on OK and you are ready to use the Database functions within UltraDev via a JDBC Connection.