Confused over wp-config.php and 'database user + database password + name'

Question

I have a domain with a subdomain.

Each of those has a different install of WordPress.

When I created the databases I made the following:

Main Domain = database called: maindomain Sub Domain = database called: subdomain

I applied the SAME database username to both databases....

So all nice and simple....

However, why is the Database Password the same?

/** MySQL database password */
define('DB_PASSWORD', 'passwordhere');

When I reset the password for the database username (which I had forgotten) it made my main domain crash?

So I guess my question is - have I just merged two databases together? Is that even possible?

Hope thats clear!

Answer 1

I applied the SAME database username to both databases

Why is the Database password the same?

When I reset the password for the database username it made my main domain crash?

It sounds like you created a single MySQL user which is allowed to access both maindomain and subdomain databases. When you change the MySQL user password, you need to update the password in any wp-config.php files where that user is set.

Have I just merged two databases together? Is that even possible?

Based on your description, it sounds like you just need to update the password in the wp-config.php on your maindomain site. It is possible to make your maindomain and subdomain sites point to the same database but you would do that by setting the DB_NAME define and $table_prefix variable exactly the same.

Answer 2

The password belongs to the user, not the database. You have multiple databases, but just one user.

You can also have multiple installs share the same database, you just need a unique $table_prefix for each install.

Answer 3

The credentials you enter in your wp-config files are the credentials you need to require to access WordPress database. Wordpress need 4 things to check the tables that are made for any particular WordPress installation. 1. DB name 2. DB Username 3. DB Password. 4 DB Prefix.

Here in the above table the username and passwords are the database user and database prefix is the unique prefix that is attached to all the tables in WordPress installation. I hope this clears your query.