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Database Plugin for WordPress?

by Ken
8 replies
I have an sql database. I know how to upload it. My problem is having it accessed by my WordPress template.

Does anyone know of a plugin for WordPress that will access the database and populate my site with info contained in the database.

I've done a lot of searching and have had no success.

Your help will be appreciated.

Ken
#database #plugin #wordpress
  • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
    I am not sure I understand your question.

    WordPress works only with MySQL database (although there were attempts to make it work with different databases, too).

    As the WP engine is written, it needs specific database tables and setup in order to be able to retrieve the data from the database.

    This description might be helpful:
    Database Description WordPress Codex
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    • Profile picture of the author Ken
      Thanks Istvan, but it is not the WordPress database I'm having a problem with.
      It is an external database loaded with articles, links,etc that I want to display
      in a Wordpress template.

      Ken
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  • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
    That's what I am trying to tell you: WP doesn't display data from a random database that is NOT formatted in a specific way. In other words: WP can NOT read any other database.

    A WP theme (not template - because templates are files in a theme) is nothing without the WP engine. It doesn't do anything. They are just .php files that call functions defined in the core (engine).

    But the WP engine is able to communicate only with a mysql database with the tables and content stored in the specific way - as described at the link above.

    So, unless you can convert your DB into something that WP can understand... I don't see chances, sorry.
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    • Profile picture of the author Ken
      Thanks again Istvan. I'm a little slow, but I'm beginning to understand what
      you're saying. I will never be mistaken for a techie so any conversion is beyond me.

      I was hoping to find a plugin that would do it for me.

      Thanks again, I'll keep lookin'.

      Ken
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  • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
    I am afraid you are looking in the wrong direction.

    It is very unlikely that you will find any "plugin" that could connect to a different database than the one running WP.

    My advice would be to look for tutorials, scripts, forum posts at WP Support regarding how to convert your existing database into something that WP can use.
    Keywords: import, convert etc. That's what you want: to make (convert, transform) your database into a database with a schema that WP can connect to and understand.
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    • Profile picture of the author Ken
      That's just what I've been doing for the last hour, Istvan.
      No luck so far. Guess I'll just keep "plugin'' away.

      Ken
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  • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
    If you can produce something like rss feeds or xhtml or even html from your DB... you may want to take a look at the import options:
    Importing Content WordPress Codex
    (look at the bottom of the page)
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  • Profile picture of the author Ken
    I keep saying thanks and I mean it. you're being a great help.

    I've downloaded the html plugin, converted the database to html now I'm going to put up a trial site for it. Don't want to take a chance on existing site.

    I'll let you know what happens.

    Ken
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