Connecting.
WHAT TO SET
The connection type, host, database name, username and password.
WHERE
In the environment file, never in code.
WHAT TO CREATE FIRST ON CPANEL
A database, a user, and the association between them, with appropriate privileges.
WHAT TO REMEMBER ABOUT CPANEL NAMING
Databases and users are prefixed with your account name.
WHAT THAT CAUSES
Configuration referring to unprefixed names, which fails.
Use the full names as shown in cPanel.
WHAT HOST TO USE
The local host, in almost all cases.
WHAT TO CHECK IF CONNECTION FAILS
The exact names, including the prefix That the user is associated with the database That the password is correct That privileges were granted
WHAT THE ERROR USUALLY SAYS
Access denied, which almost always means names or privileges.
WHAT TO AVOID
Using a database user with more privileges than needed Reusing the same credentials across applications
WHAT TO DO AFTER CHANGING CONFIGURATION
Clear the configuration cache.
