In the case of connecting to MySQL in a PHP script, usually a fatal error will tell you where you provided invalid connection info (i.e. wrong password), this is the file and line where the mysql_connect() function is called.

This is not useful if you use a php class to deal with the database connection. The error message will show the file and line where the mysql_connect() function is (and it is always the same place, within the database class!)

It turns out that this is not where the wrong password is provided to the class, so it can take some time to find the file and line where you send the credentials to MySQL.

To find the line where you actually provided the wrong password:
1. First, suppress the fatal error with the @ symbol.
2. Then, check if there is an error. If so, store the error and then trigger the error outside of the class.

/* Index.php */
$db = new MySQL($host,$user,$password,$dbName);
if($db->dbError){trigger_error($db->dbError,512);}

/* mysql.class.php */
class MySQL{
var $db;

function __construct($host, $dbUser, $dbPass, $dbName) {

// or the old school constructor: function MySQL($host, $dbUser, $dbPass, $dbName) {
$this->host=$host;
$this->dbUser=$dbUser;
$this->dbPass=$dbPass;
$this->dbName=$dbName;
$this->dbError=FALSE;
$this->connectToDb();

}
// connection method
function connectToDb(){

if (!$this->dbConn = @mysql_connect($this->host, $this->dbUser, $this->dbPass)) {
$this->dbError=’Error connection to database: ‘.mysql_error();
return;
}

// … check if database can be selected in the same way
}

Note 1: this does not work if it is normal for the function to return bool (a value that equates to false)

Note 2: if you use a custom error handler you need to have the following to suppress the error

function errorHandler($errno, $errdetails, $errfile = null, $errline = null, $errcontext = null)
{

// check for error suppression
if(error_reporting()==0){
return;
}
// continue processing the error here

}

With custom functions you can use the following error() function instead of trigger_error()

function error($message, $level=E_USER_NOTICE)
{

$dbk=debug_backtrace();
$caller = next($dbk);
trigger_error($message.’ in ‘.$caller['function'].’.’.$caller['file'].’ ‘.$caller['line'].”\n
error handler”, $level);

}

Example use:

function custom($val)
{

if(!is_array($val)){
error(’You must provide an array to the custom function’);
} else {
// do whatever
}

}

A well designed website is a good investment these days. Anyone that needs to buy a product will first consult their favorite search engine to do their research and then find a good price.

Before spending a(nother) dime on your website, do some research. Here are a few tips:

1) Avoid graphics and video or flash, unless you are selling graphics, video or flash. Unless the focus is placed on the product or service (and not how cool your website looks) you will only distract your customer, possibly making them leave the site without getting your message. (You should still have some elements to make your website look beautiful and professional)

2) Appearing in the first few Google or Bing results can give you a steady stream of leads. SEO (search engine optimization) can help you get there, but careful of people claiming to be SEO experts. At the end of the day you need to know what your customers will type to find your product or service, and make sure your content reflects this.

3) Most importantly, make it as easy as possible for your customer to get information and place an order. Give them step by step instructions so they are comfortable taking the next step.

4) Getting them on the phone and helping them with information is the best way to show you have good customer service and support, and it can get them from the “research” phase to the “placing an order” phase.

Remember, when someone goes to the hardware store, they might want to buy a hole, but come home with a drill. In the end, it is the service that is most important, so make sure you provide the best service and the referrals will come.

These tips are aimed at increasing sales leads for your business.

Note: You can hire me as a consultant and/or programmer for your website. The benefit of hiring me is that you get someone who knows how to program websites, and who has great sales experience. Can you have a better combination when you want a website that sells?