Databases

Overview

A database is a structured collection of data that your website can read from and write to. Think of it as a filing cabinet for your website's information. While your website's code (HTML, CSS, images) is stored as files, the dynamic content — blog posts, user accounts, product listings, comments — lives in a database.

Most modern websites and applications rely on databases:

• WordPress stores posts, pages, comments, user profiles, and plugin settings in a database.
• Laravel applications store users, sessions, and application data.
• Magento or WooCommerce stores product catalogs, orders, and customer information.
• Custom PHP sites often store forum posts, membership data, or content management records.

Havenoro CP uses MySQL or MariaDB, the most popular database engines for web hosting. You can manage everything through the Databases section of the control panel.

Key Database Terms Explained

Databases can seem technical, but the concepts are straightforward:

• Database — The entire filing cabinet. It holds all the data for one application (e.g., your WordPress site's data).
• Table — A drawer within the filing cabinet. Each table holds a specific type of information. For WordPress, there are tables for posts, users, comments, and options.
• Row — One file within a drawer. A row is a single record. In the "users" table, one row might be "John Doe, johndoe@email.com".
• Field (Column) — A specific piece of information in a row. For a user row, fields could be "Name", "Email", and "Signup Date".
• Database User — A username and password that an application uses to connect to the database. Like a key that unlocks access to specific tables.

How To Manage Databases

Creating a Database

1. Log in to Havenoro CP and go to the Databases tab.
2. Click Add Database.
3. Enter a name for your database. It will usually be prefixed with your username (e.g., username_mydb).
4. Click Save. The database is created and appears in your list.

Creating a Database User

A database user is separate from your control panel login. It is the credential your website will use to connect to the database.

1. In the Databases section, click Add User.
2. Enter a username and a strong password. Use a password manager to generate something like kD8#mP2!xR9$.
3. Click Save.

Assigning a User to a Database

A user needs to be linked to a database before an application can use it.

1. In the database list, find your database and click Manage or the user icon.
2. Select the user you created from the dropdown.
3. Choose the permissions level. For most websites, All Privileges is fine. This lets the application read, write, update, and delete data.
4. Click Save. The user is now linked to the database.

What Is phpMyAdmin?

phpMyAdmin is a web-based tool that gives you a graphical interface for managing your databases. Think of it like a control panel for your database — you can browse tables, run SQL queries, import/export data, and fix issues without needing command-line skills. To open phpMyAdmin, click the phpMyAdmin button in the Databases section of Havenoro CP. Log in with your database username and password (not your control panel login).

Important Warnings

• Always back up your database before modifying it. Use phpMyAdmin's Export feature to download a SQL file before making any changes.
• Use unique, strong passwords for each database user. If one site is compromised, other databases remain safe.
• Do not delete tables unless you know what you are doing. Removing the wrong table can break your website completely.

Connecting Your Website to the Database

Once the database and user are ready, you need to tell your application how to connect. This is usually done through a configuration file. Here is what you typically need:

• Database Name — e.g., username_mydb
• Database Username — e.g., username_dbuser
• Database Password — The password you set for the user
• Database Host — Usually localhost, meaning the database is on the same server as your website

For WordPress, you would edit wp-config.php. For Laravel, you would update the .env file. Paste in the credentials, save the file, and your app will be connected to the database.

Next Steps

Databases store your data, but you also need to manage your website files. Continue to the File Manager guide to learn how to browse, upload, and edit files right from your browser.