6. Create PDF Relational Diagrams
With phpMyAdmin’s configuration storage enabled in order to support the relational designer, you’ll have an added bonus of being able to create visual diagram of a database’s relational structure and save the diagram to a PDF. You can access this feature by clicking on the
Operations tab located on the application’s ribbon (only available with configuration storage is enabled).7. Bookmark Your Queries
You’ll often use phpMyAdmin as a convenient solution for reviewing the results of complex queries pasted into the
SQL tab interface. However, it can quickly become tiresome to repeatedly copy and paste queries into the interface, particularly if you regularly execute several different queries. With configuration storage enabled, you can bookmark queries using the Bookmark this query button.8. Prevent the Root User From Logging In
PhpMyAdmin is incredibly easy to use, allowing you to manipulate databases with just a few keystrokes and clicks of the mouse. Accordingly, performing database management tasks while logged in as the root user can be a recipe for disaster, because of the root user’s ability to perform every conceivable task, including dropping a database. To prevent the root user from logging into phpMyAdmin, add the following line to your
config.inc.php file:$cfg['Servers'][$i]['AllowRoot'] = FALSE;
9. Use Your Native Language
PhpMyAdmin uses an English-language interface by default, however did you know a total of 62 languages are supported to varying degrees? Switch to your desired language using the
Language select box located on the home screen. You can keep tabs on translation progress on this page. If you’re multi-lingual, consider participating in the translation process!10. Synchronize Databases
One of the greatest inconveniences developers face is devising a straightforward solution for synchronizing databases residing on multiple and even the same server. PhpMyAdmin offers an incredibly simple solution to this challenge, allowing you to easily migrate table structures and data between a source and target database. To use this feature, just click on the
Synchronize tab located on the top ribbon, and then choose the source and target databases. Prior to synchronization, visual cues will provide you with details regarding whether a source table already resides in the target, and whether the structure and data are already up to date.About the Author
Jason Gilmore is founder of the publishing, training, and consulting firm WJGilmore.com. He is the author of several popular books, including “Easy PHP Websites with the Zend Framework”, “Easy PayPal with PHP”, and “Beginning PHP and MySQL, Fourth Edition”. Follow him on Twitter at @wjgilmore.
