
1. Obtain the database program, either on CD-ROM or by downloading it from the
Web.

2. Read the installation instructions.

3. Install the program. Details vary greatly. This may be as simple as running
an installation program or as involved as recompiling the program from its
source code.

4. Start the database. You need to start the database server before you can
carry out any database operations. For example, with MySQL, the mysqld program
starts the database server. Read the installation instructions for details.

5. Find out the name and password of the database administrator account.
Some-times, the database administrator account is the same as an administrator
account for your operating system, but on other platforms, it is not. Read the
installation instructions for details.

6. Locate the program for executing interactive SQL instructions. (With MySQL,
the program is called mysql.) Find out how to log on as the database
administrator.  Then run the following SQL instructions:

	CREATE TABLE Test (Name CHAR(20))
	INSERT INTO Test VALUES ('Romeo')
	SELECT * FROM Test
	DROP TABLE Test

At this point, you should get a display that shows a single row and column of
the Test database, containing the string Romeo. If not, carefully read the
documentation of your SQL tool to see how you need to enter SQL statements.
For example, with MySQL, you need a semicolon after each SQL statement.

7. Set up databases. A database is a collection of tables. A database program
such as MySQL can manage multiple databases, each of which contains separate
table sets and access permissions. This step typically involves running an
administration program, logging in as database administrator, and creating one
or more data-bases.  For the programs in the next section, you need to create a
database named "bigcpp".

8. Set up user accounts. This step typically involves running an administration
pro-gram, logging in as database administrator, and adding user names,
passwords, and permissions. If you are the only user of the database, you may
be able to use a default account. Again, details vary greatly among databases,
and you should con-sult the documentation.
