Helpful tool suggestions

[ElLeonBlanco]

Hi All:

 

I don't have any stupid or unusual questions this time. Believe that?

 

What I am offering is some simple suggestions for the MySQL challenged and the seasoned pro alike. I am not the greatest with MySQL either. However with the use of these tools you can certainly be more productive and far less confused. Also get back to the more fun part of designing your sites.

 

1: There is a sweet tool from www.mysql.com that I run on all my Linux based db servers. It is called MySQLcc. Very easy to install the binary even for rookie linux users. I have found that the instructions are more confusing than need be though. Here is what I find makes it simple for beginners. Make a directory under /usr/local/ called mysqlcc. Then extract the contents of the zip folder there. You will find a folder with a long name that includes the version number. Open it, select all, cut files, go up 1 directory to mysqlcc, and paste. Then enter directory mysqlcc and delete the folder with name an version number. you may also delete the original zip file at this time. To start the interface open a terminal window and path to directory /usr/local/mysqlcc hit return. Then simply type ./mysqlcc and viola you now have full graphical control of your database server, user and host administration, and just about anything else you could desire. :lol: Note: The above instructions work on RedHat 9 running MySQL 3.23 or 4.0. I have had problems with the version for glib 2.3 crashing but the glibc 2.2 version works very well.

 

2. MySQL Front 2.5 which sadly to say is no longer in development but can be downloaded here: http://mysqlfront.sstienemann.de/. This sets up easily and works well on WinXP Pro and Win 2000. Is very similar in appearance and functionality to MySQLcc. As it comes packed as a setup.exe I won't go into lengthy instructions on installation. However it is very stable and like MySQLcc it allows you to select a DB, load an sql file, then press execute an in just a few seconds your new tables are installed with all permissions set and ready to use. This program has many usefull features and if you are a Windows user you should really check it out.

 

3. This is a program that I have just recently started using. So far it is the "cat's ass" so to speak. It is from FabForce www.fabforce.net and is called DB Designer 4. What a useful tool! Gives you a graphical layout of all the tables in the db and their inter-relational connections. For lack of me generating an adequate description i snagged this text from their website:

DBDesigner 4 is a visual database design system that integrates database design, modeling, creation and maintenance into a single, seamless environment.

It combines professional features and a clear and simple user interface to offer the most efficient way to handle your databases.

DBDesigner 4 compares to products like Oracle's Designer?, IBM's Rational Rose?, Computer Associates's ERwin? and theKompany's DataArchitect? but is an Open Source Project available for Microsoft Windows? 2k/XP and Linux KDE/Gnome. It is released under the GPL.

 

AND THE MOST IMPORTANT LINE:

DBDesigner 4 is developed and optimized for the open source MySQL-Database.

 

4. WynSyntax download it, install it, and NEVER use notepad or wordpad again. That is all I can say about this one. Has a built in file manager, a built in PHP parser, numbers you lines, and colorizes your code.

 

5. ExamDiff Pro, Suddenly you made an edit and everything quits working. Or changed something and a strange bug starts appearing. This could save your sanity as well as you job. Load the problematic file in one pane and the last good working file in the other. What could be easier? Identifies and colorcodes the textual differences between the two. My comment: Handy as H....!

 

So if you are feeling lost in the land of having to learn PHP, MySQL, ASP, and a host of other idioms that are changing so rapidly that it is nearly impossible to keep up with. Just maybe some of the above tools can help save your day and get you home on time to keep the family happy. :D

[Daemonj]

Moved to the Tips and Tricks forum by DaemonJ as it is the more appropriate forum.

 

Excellent suggestions.

 

Also keep in mind that PHPMyAdmin is usually installed by default on most servers and is part of all the main control panels (cpanel, ensim, plesk). It is pretty much the de facto standard so you would be loosing out if you did not become familiar with it.

 

There are many different editors available for editing code that are free or have a nominal charge. Anything is better than notepad, even vi. :lol:

[ElLeonBlanco]

I immediatly realized after posting that this was most likely a better location. Before you were kind enough to move it I wrote a quick note to Mattice with that request.

 

When I read that person's posting I remember being in the same place at one time. I also feel highly indebted to the forum's favor bank and this looked like an opportunity to offer beneficial assistance to someone in need. I remember just how difficult it can be for (as much as I hate the term) a "Newbie" to achieve some of these tasks.

 

It seriously disappoints me when somone abandons a project due to a small issue that to them seemed insurmountable. :cry:

[Daemonj]

I immediatly realized after posting that this was most likely a better location. Before you were kind enough to move it I wrote a quick note to Mattice with that request.

 

When I read that person's posting I remember being in the same place at one time. I also feel highly indebted to the forum's favor bank and this looked like an opportunity to offer beneficial assistance to someone in need. I remember just how difficult it can be for (as much as I hate the term) a "Newbie" to achieve some of these tasks.

 

It seriously disappoints me when somone abandons a project due to a small issue that to them seemed insurmountable. :cry:

Very well said. :)

 

As with anything in life, every job is easy when you have the correct tools and nearly impossible when those tools are not present.

 

Newbie is not a derogatory word so do not be afraid to use it. It is merely an indication of one's experience level. Do not forget that everyone was a Newbie with everything at one point in their life. At least until the mad genetic scientists determine how to give us genetic memory or something. :shock: ;)