At this point, we assume that you (or your web host) has downloaded and installed the MySQL database software on your web server. We also assume that your MySQL database server is continuously running and available for connections.

The documentation for how to install MySQL is found at:

As we are not affiliated in any way with MySQL, DiscusWare does not provide any support for the installation or configuration of that software.

Freeware Discus will create 2 tables in your MySQL database, and Discus Pro will create 6 tables. As you have the option to specify a prefix to name these tables, it is possible to run multiple Discus boards from the same database, or to share the database you use for the rest of your site with the one you use for Discus.

If you run your own server, and you have the ability to set up as many MySQL databases as you wish, we suggest that you create one database for each Discus board on your server.

These instructions apply if you are the server administrator and you wish to create an entirely new database for your Discus board. Note that you need to supply a username (in these instructions, we write italicized username) that actually exists within the MySQL account structure.

Use the mysqladmin utility to create your MySQL database. Then edit the 'mysql' database itself to grant privileges to your account username:

mysqladmin -uroot -p create database_name
(Enter password of MySQL 'root' user account at prompt)
mysql -uroot -p database_name
mysql> GRANT usage on database_name.* to username@localhost;
mysql> GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES on database_name.* to username@localhost;
mysql> exit

These commands may vary depending on your operating system and your MySQL installation. For additional assistance with these listed commands, please consult the MySQL documentation:

To use Discus or Discus Pro with a MySQL database on your server, your server must support all of the following:

• Perl DBI module and DBD::mysql module
• MySQL database software and continuously running server
• Account within MySQL system
• Ability to create a new database, or an existing database already created
• Ability to perform all MySQL privileges on new or existing database