I used to fear databases. Now, because of WordPress, I love them.

"When you install a database on a hosting server, you are in essence, installing the capability to run a program from that server. I don't know about you but the thought of that used to terrify me."

What is a database? If you want to get clinical with definitions, Operating System software (Vista, OS X, Linux) is nothing more than a database with sophisticated schema and filters. A database is a collection of specified information that can be queried in a number of ways. A database is like an encyclopedia that comes with its own personal expert. The expert has memorized the book. He knows every page number, topic, sub-topic and word. Ask the encyclopedia expert about Howler Monkeys and he presents the exact resulting facts that you need to know. There are different sorts of databases, like relational and hierarchical. Every bit of software, installed on your computer uses a database. When you install a database on a hosting server, you are in essence, installing the capability to run a program from that server. I don't know about you but the thought of that used to terrify me.

WordPress is blog management software. You can run WordPress locally but that's not why most people download this free program. WordPress is a highly popular choice for server-side blogging. Once set up, the blog administrator can post from any Internet-enabled machine as well as by email. The big hurdle for a newbie blogger is setting up the database. In order to run a WordPress blog on a host, you have to enable, install and manage a database.

In this first of several articles on WordPress, I will explain to you how I cleared my most intimidating hurdle ­ the database.

I'm a vanilla webmaster. I rarely stray beyond basic HTML when I code my sites. My sites aren't really that complicated and being a porn webmaster, I have to avoid scripts and dynamic doodads, because TGPs and top lists don't like them. In the past, I've messed around with a few CGI scripts but on the whole, I've stayed away from webhost settings that I know nothing about. Still I make sure to lease hosting that includes database capability. Of course, these days, most beginner packages give the user a specified number of databases. While the instructions for setting up WordPress itself are pretty easy, what they don't tell you about is what you need to do before putting WP on your server:

You need to make sure that your host allows databases and then you need to make a database. Your website package may include the opportunity to host databases but the option is not auto-enabled. You have to create a database in order to "turn it on".

Scary/not so scary. Turns out, once I got over my fear factor, adding a database to my hosting account was frighteningly uncomplicated. Naturally, how the process works, depends on your host. You want to make sure that your account offers the ability to create and install MYSQL databases. WordPress is written in PHP and runs off MYSQL. If your host doesn't offer MYSQL and you want to run WordPress from the net, find another host. If your host offers MYSQL, then all you have to do now, is log into your online account control panel.

Log in and look for words/links like this: "MYSQL Manager" and "Add Database". Could be your hosting control panel displays the links as "Manage Database" or "Extras" or "Advanced". Whatever your host names it, if they offer it, the link is there, listed from your online account interface. Once you find the correct link, click it to begin the procedure. At some point, you'll be asked to create/add a database. This is where you will input three things: The Name of your Database, Your Database User Name, and Your Database Password. Once you've added those into the online form, remember them. You'll need them later when you install WordPress. Once you've filled out the Database Name, Database User Name and Database Password fields, click the submit/next button and that's it.

Seriously. That's all it takes. That's all you need to do to create a database. Once you've submitted the Database Name, the Database User Name and the Database Password, your host "turns on" MYSQL. You'll probably receive a page that tells you your Database details and you should save a copy of it in your backup/reference files. Depending on your host, you might need to follow additional confirmation steps, but that shouldn't be complicated. After you create the database, then and only then, will you be able to upload and install WordPress to your hosting account.

I'm no longer so frightened of databases. You shouldn't be either. Just remember to create the database first, through your online hosting control panel. Once you've created a database, then you can upload and install WordPress on your server. Don't let your fear paralyze you. Blog software is awesome for managing almost any website. Search engines love blogs and adult webmasters love blogs. WordPress gives you complete control over the content on your server. There are other blog software packages and even online blog editors but none of them can compare with WordPress when it comes to features and browser interoperability.

Now that you know how to create a MYSQL database, look forward to future parts of this series: Downloading, Uploading, Installing and Configuring Word Press.