[Phpsig] Learning php4 and mysql

[Paul VandenBosch]

Once again I am picking up my books on php and mysql and trying to learn
to write web applications.
My current webhost has both php and mysql enabled, and I have had some
success with very basic scripts in php, and with scripts written by others
with mysql(although with odd errors).
However, when I use ssh to try to access mysql on my webhost, I get access
denied errors.  This is probably intentional on the part of the webhost, I
have to request to have a database created in mysql by the administrator. 
I don't think the users have direct mysql access permission.
In order to learn to write web applications, should I download mysql and
install it on my pc at home (with the intent of figuring out the basics of
mysql before trying to combine it with php)?  Or should I just work on the
php applications, which seem to be able to connect to my mysql database on
my webhost?  That is how I would hope to create real web applications.
I am very much a beginner at this and I am trying to figure out the best
way to learn the basics of both php and mysql.  It just seems to be a bit
of a jump to learn both at the same time.  Its hard to figure out what
happened when things go wrong.
-- 
Paul VandenBosch
Guide to Sailing and Cruising Stories
http://cruisenews.net