Python, Flask, MYSQL - Basics - Demo

 Here's a step-by-step guide to set up MySQL using XAMPP, create a database, and run your Flask + SQLAlchemy app using the .env-based setup.

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✅ Step 1: Install and Run XAMPP

1. Download XAMPP from https://www.apachefriends.org/index.html.

2. Install XAMPP on your system.

3. Open the XAMPP Control Panel.

4. Start Apache and MySQL modules.

   • Green indicators mean they are running.

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✅ Step 2: Open phpMyAdmin & Create Database

1. Go to your browser and open:
   http://localhost/phpmyadmin

2. Click on Databases tab.

3. In the "Create database" field, type: phd (or your DB name).

4. Click Create.

Done! Your MySQL DB is ready.

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✅ Step 3: Create .env File in Flask Project

In your Flask project directory, create a file named .env:

DB_USERNAME=root
DB_PASSWORD=
DB_HOST=localhost
DB_PORT=3306
DB_NAME=phd

• XAMPP default MySQL username is root

• Password is usually empty (set it in phpMyAdmin if you want)

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✅ Step 4: Install Required Python Packages

Make sure your virtual environment is activated, then run:

pip install flask flask_sqlalchemy python-dotenv pymysql

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✅ Step 5: Create Your Flask App

Here's a minimal working example for app.py:

from flask import Flask
from flask_sqlalchemy import SQLAlchemy
from dotenv import load_dotenv
import os

load_dotenv()

app = Flask(__name__)
app.config['SQLALCHEMY_DATABASE_URI'] = (
    f"mysql+pymysql://{os.getenv('DB_USERNAME', 'root')}:"
    f"{os.getenv('DB_PASSWORD', '')}@"
    f"{os.getenv('DB_HOST', 'localhost')}:"
    f"{os.getenv('DB_PORT', '3306')}/"
    f"{os.getenv('DB_NAME', 'phd')}"
)
app.config['SQLALCHEMY_TRACK_MODIFICATIONS'] = False

db = SQLAlchemy(app)

# Example model
class Student(db.Model):
    id = db.Column(db.Integer, primary_key=True)
    name = db.Column(db.String(100))

with app.app_context():
    db.create_all()

@app.route('/')
def home():
    return "Database connected and tables created!"

if __name__ == '__main__':
    app.run(debug=True)

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✅ Step 6: Run Your Flask App

In the terminal (inside the Flask project directory):

python app.py

Open a browser and go to:

http://127.0.0.1:5000/

You should see:

Database connected and tables created!

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✅ Step 7: (Optional) Check Tables in phpMyAdmin

1. Go to http://localhost/phpmyadmin

2. Click the phd database.

3. You should see the student table created by db.create_all().

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🔐 Pro Tip: Add .env to .gitignore

If you're using Git:

echo ".env" >> .gitignore

This prevents your credentials from being tracked in version control.

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Let me know if you'd like to add forms, insert data, or query records!