** Continued From: WordPress How-To #1 - Create A Database
In part one of this continuing series on WordPress blogging, I showed you how to create a database on your host server. I explained that in order for you to use WordPress, you need to have a MYSQL database assigned to and enabled for your account. In other words, you have to "turn it on". Luckily, the process is easy once you know how. If you missed part one, you'll be totally lost in this part two. Go read part one and create your database. I'll wait for you.
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"Ah, but I told you to stop, didn't I? There's a good reason for that. Before you upload all your unpacked WordPress files to your web host, you need to create a wp-config.php file." |
Once you’re done, you’ll know that you should have saved four things from when you created a database for your account: The Name of your Database, Your Database User Name, Your Hostname and Your Database Password. At some point in this tutorial, you will need those four. So, keep them handy.
All done? Good. Now let's take the second step on the road to WordPress blogging Downloading/Uploading WordPress.
Download WordPress WordPress is Open Source software. That means it is free to use as long as you comply with the GNU Public License (GPL).
As you will see, there are two formats form which to choose. If you have a Windows PC, you’ll download the zip file. If you have a Mac or a Linux box, you’ll download the tar.gz file. As always, save your download in a folder that you can remember.
Most of you have Windows-based machines. That means you’re used to uncompressing dot zip files with WinZip. The tar.gz files (tarballs) are also compressed and unpack with a program like Ark or Stuffit Expander. Regardless of how you unpack the WordPress download, you’ll need to perform that operation. Unpack/Unzip the file and WordPress will extract into a folder, self-named, WordPress + a version number. After you’ve unpacked the file and can see the folder in your file browser, stop.
You have decompressed a file. You have not installed anything. All you have is a folder full of documents, scripts and images. Don’t bother looking for an executable setup file or .deb package. When it comes to installing WordPress, your personal machine is not the target. Your WordPress folder is sitting on your hard drive, waiting for you to upload it to your web host. Remember that MYSQL database your created? MYSQL is the engine that will compile the files from your uploaded WordPress folder into an online, server-side application. In other words, you need to transfer all the files within your unpacked WordPress folder (not the folder itself) to the directory that holds your database.
Ah, but I told you to stop, didn’t I? There’s a good reason for that. Before you upload all your unpacked WordPress files to your web host, you need to create a wp-config.php file. This is the file where you’re going to need those four things you saved from part one. Don’t panic. All you’re really going to do is open a pre-existing document in Notepad, replace the default info with yours and save it as a different file name.
Open the unpacked WordPress folder. Locate a file named wp-config-sample.php. Open it in Notepad or some other text editor. You will see these tags near the top of the document:
define('DB_NAME', 'putyourdbnamehere'); // The name of the database
define('DB_USER', 'usernamehere'); // Your MySQL username
define('DB_PASSWORD', 'yourpasswordhere'); // ...and password
define('DB_HOST', 'localhost'); // 99% chance you won't need to change this value
All you have to do is replace those faux names with the actual names from your 4 items of database info. Just the names. Not the characters around them. Leave the apostrophes, semi-colons and hashes intact. Your database name goes in the top spot, your username in the second and so forth. Take note about the note at the end of the tag in the fourth line of code. Most times, you can leave this name unaltered. The process depends on your particular host. If you were assigned a database host name, it never hurts to keep a record, even if you don’t need it so set up WordPress. Replace your database name, user name, password and possibly database host name with the default names in the wp-config-sample.php file.
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After you’ve typed in your names, (from Notepad) save the file as wp-config.php, to the same folder. Blammo! You have created a brand new wp-config.php file! Be proud.
Delete the wp-config-sample.php file and get ready to upload. Open up your favorite ftp program and prepare to connect to your hosting server. Before you proceed, stop again. Let’s talk about directories and where to put WordPress.
If you want your blog to load from the index page of your URL, you have to upload the WordPress files to your main directory. There’s a problem with that if you already have a site there. WordPress will overwrite those files. Don’t upload WordPress in your main directory without archiving your old site/pages first. If you’re installing WordPress on a new, clean domain, then you’ll have no trouble uploading the files to your main host directory. If you want to keep your main URL intact, then just create a sub-folder on your host. Give it a name like /blog or /journal or /wordpress or whatever. So, go to your ftp program, connect to your host and create that sub directory now if you need it.
Whether main directory or sub-directory, open the directory where you want WordPress to go. From your hard-drive side, open the folder containing those unpacked WordPress files. Select all the files in there, including the three folders > wp-admin, wp-content and wp-includes. Upload those files to your preferred host directory.
You have now uploaded WordPress to your host. Including part one, you’ve completed four steps:
1. Create a database
2. Download/Unpack WordPress
3. Change/Rename wp-config.php file
4. Upload WordPress to host
You’re a champ. But it’s not over yet. Now you have to INSTALL WordPress so it works on your server. That comes in part three. For now, give yourself a pat on the back and stay Cozy!
** Click Here For: WordPress How-To #3 - Install