USING MYWEBSQL MyWebSQL is a database web administration tool that will be used during LIS 458 & CS 333. This document will provide the basic steps for you to become familiar with the application. 1. To log into MyWebSQL, visit https://gslis.simmons.edu/lis458/ à Please make sure you add https:// when typing the url. A pop- up window will appear (Figure 1), enter your regular Simmons username and password (the same you use to check your email, or to login into one of Simmons s owned computers) FIGURE 1: FIRST AUTHENTICATION LAYER (ENTER YOUR REGULAR SIMMONS USERNAME AND PASSWORD) 2. You will be taken to the second authentication layer (Figure 2). In this page, use your regular Simmons username as the User ID, and your Student ID number as your password. Your Student ID number is in your Student ID card, if you do not have one, please check the initial admission email you received from Simmons. If none of those resources are available, please send an email to moralesp@simmons.edu requesting your ID number. To make this request, please use your Simmons email, requests from any other domain will be ignored. FIGURE 2: SECOND AUTHENTICATION LAYER (USE YOUR REGULAR USERNAME AND YOUR STUDENT ID NUMBER) Page 1 of 7
3. You will be taken to the initial page for MyWebSQL (Figure 3). There, you will see the databases to which you have access, its tables and other options that will be explored in this document. FIGURE 3: INITIAL INTERNFACE FOR MYWEBSQL 4. To create a new table, go to application main menu, select Objects and Create Table (Figure 4). FIGURE 4: CREATE A NEW TABLE 5. A new pop- up window will appear (Figure 5), in which you can add a name to the table and create new columns. Page 2 of 7
FIGURE 5: NEW TABLE CREATION WINDOW 6. Add a name to the table (no spaces). 7. To create new columns, you can use the add field button or simply double click under field name to enter a new column name. Make sure you know what concepts like Data Type, NULL and Primary Key are before defining each column. When entering information, you will see items that have a checkbox (Figure 6), to select those checkboxes just click on them and press the spacebar. FIGURE 6: CHECKBOX OPTIONS (SELECT THEM USING THE SPACE BAR) 8. After creating the required columns, click the Submit button to create the table and its columns (Figure 7). Page 3 of 7
FIGURE 7: CREATE TABLE BY CLICKING ON SUBMIT 9. You should see a message indicating that the command was executed successfully. The message will also display the SQL statement used to create the new table (Figure 8). FIGURE 8: TABLE SUCCESFULLY CREATED 10. To see your new table, click on the table name under Tables (located on the left side of the screen). To create a new data row in the table, click on +Add Record (located on the lower right side of the screen). (Figure 9) Page 4 of 7
FIGURE 9: VIEWING NEW TABLE INFORMATION 11. When adding a new record, the system by default will include NULL in all the fields. Change each field by double clicking on it and typing the new values (Figure 10). FIGURE 10: ADDING DATA TO A FIELD 12. Once you have updated all the column fields, click on Update Record(s) (Figure 11). FIGURE 11: UPDATE RECORD(S) 13. You should see a success message indicating that the row(s) were modified (Figure 12). In case of problems, the screen will indicate the cause of the error. 14. Create as many tables and columns as needed. FIGURE 12: RECORD SUCCESFULLY ENTEREDPAGE 5 OF 7 Page 5 of 7
EXPORTING DATABASES Your database will be kept in the server for a year. If you take the class in Fall 2014, the database will be removed from the server in Fall 2015 (at the beginning of the semester). It is advisable to create a backup of your database as soon as the semester is over. To create a backup of your database, follow these simple steps: 1. Access MyWebSQL 2. On the main application menu, select Database - > Export (Figure 13) FIGURE 13: EXPORT DATABASE 3. A new pop- up window will open (Figure 14). Make sure that under Select objects to include in export Tables is checked, and under Export Type Structure and Table Data is checked. Click on Export. FIGURE 14: SELECT DATABASE DATA TO EXPORT 4. After clicking Export, a save dialog will open (Figure 15). Select the destination in your local machine and save the file. Page 6 of 7
FIGURE 15: SAVING THE EXPORTED DATABASE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q: For how long will my database be available online? A: Your database will be available on the server for a year. Q: Can I create new databases? A: No, you cannot create new databases. Q: I am testing a PHP script from my home computer, but I receive an error message indicating that the connection has been refused. What is happening? A: Due to security policies, your database will only accept requests from the MyWebSQL web interface, or from pages hosted on web.simmons.edu. Any other location will be automatically rejected. Q: How can I export my database? A: Please refer to the section of this document titled Exporting Databases. Q: I am trying to access the site, but I receive a message indicating Unauthorized user. What can I do? A: That happens when you are using the wrong credentials for the first authentication layer. Remember, there are two authentication layers, and for the first of them you need to use your regular Simmons username and password. Q: I am entering data into my database, but when I click Update, the message indicates 0 rows affected. What can I do? A: Review the SQL statement included in the message. This can happen if you select NULL as the default value of your field, thus the statement will include `column_name`= NULL If this is the case, copy the statement to the SQL editor, remove the section that adds the NULL value, and click on Query. Q: I am entering data, but when I click Update, I see an error indicating that the column name / field is incorrect? A: Review that there are no spaces in your columns or fields, particularly at the end of the word. This usually happen when using copy and paste. Q: I am having technical difficulties, who should I contact? A: You can contact Pablo Morales Henry with your questions at moralesp@simmons.edu. Please make sure to review the FAQ before submitting questions. Page 7 of 7