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PHP connect to MySQL database in Wordpress sidebar (widget)

I'm having trouble connecting to a database file using the "text/html" widget in Wordpress 2.8.4. This is the widget that allows you to add text to a sidebar. I found a plugin for including PHP in the code, but it didn't work. (plugin: http://bit.ly/4QMCj)

The database file is at: http://www.mydomain.com/database/db.php
The WP blog is installed at http://www.mydomain.com/blog/

The (truncated) code I'm using (which works on the HTML portion of the site) is below.

Is there a way to use absolute paths?

<?php
include '../database/db.php';
 
open_db();
 
}
 
close_db();
?>

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jazzviolin

ASKER

Could it be that the PHP that connects to the database cannot be inserted in the sidebar? Does it need to go in another Wordpress file?

pg-expert

you should create a seperate file and place it under plugins directory to include your php scripts in the sidebar widget.

How to write a plugin - simple steps
http://codex.wordpress.org/Writing_a_Plugin

HTH,
~PG

jazzviolin

ASKER

Hi PG,

Do you mean, create a widget that includes the connection information to the database (user, pw, open, close, etc)? I tried this, and it didn't work.

yfastud

since wp is in folder http://www.mydomain.com/blog/, it never seen the directory above it; ie. http://www.mydomain.com/database/

to use mysql, you must have something like this
mysql_connect('host', 'username', 'password');
mysql_select_db('database');

pg-expert

go through this simple tutorial
http://www.devlounge.net/articles/php/wordpress-plugins-and-database-interaction

hope this helps
~PG

jazzviolin

ASKER

The following is my db.php, which is located at mydomain.com/database/db.php

Again, the blog is mydomain.com/blog/

From my static site, it works. From the Wordpress sidebar, I've tried a bunch of different things, but nothing works.

1 - I've tried connecting to the db.com within the sidebar
2 - I've tried creating a new plugin, where the authentication was the plugin and activated it

<?php
$VARS = array();
$VARS['db_host'] = "host";
$VARS['db_user'] = "wayne";
$VARS['db_pass'] = "password1";
$VARS['db_name'] = "dbname";
 
$conn = null;
 
function open_db() {
	global $VARS, $conn;
	
	$conn = mysql_connect($VARS['db_host'], $VARS['db_user'], $VARS['db_pass']) or die ('Error connecting to mysql');
	mysql_select_db($VARS['db_name']) or die(mysql_error()); 
}
 
function close_db() {
	global $conn;
	
	mysql_close($conn);
}
 
?>

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pg-expert

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