connection defined to a database

Hello+
I'm new with web development and have downloaded the security assist extension & several others. I do not understand what a "connection defined to a database" is exactly. Please, state in simple terms what sort of database I need; how to create said database; and how to connect to it. I'm using Dreamweaver 8. (I'm using the security assist wizard and am stuck at the first step!) Thank you for any guidance available.

To create a connection, you will have to create a MySQL database and also a PHP server. Here is a document that will help with this:
web_dev_begin.pdf

To setup a connection with the database, you will have to open the database tab in dreamweaver and click on the "+" button. Fill in the information about the database you are trying to connect to and create the connection.

Thank you for the link! I've read through the document and have discovered that my computer (windows xp home version) does not have IIS available, at all. It states in the beginning of the document that I can use Apache. Is this true? If so, is there a document explaining the steps for Apache? Can I follow the instructions in the first document after I get Apache on my system? Thank you for any guidance you may offer!

You could try wamp server, which should set everything up for you:
en/

Here is a how to on setting up Apache if you want though:
apache-virtual-hosts-xp.html

Thank you! I will look into both...Thank you!

Hope that works out for you. Let me know how it goes.

Thanks for the help! I know your software will be very helpful, once I get past the beginner stage. I'm very new to web development. I don't really understand what the SecurityAssist Wizard is asking for...is there anything that will guide me in understanding what each item is on each step of the wizard? My big stumbling block is attempting to set up a test server - it seems a lot more complex than it should. I went with the wampserver that you suggested earlier and I think I have installed it correctly, but don't know how to tell if I have or not. Also, where do I get the database from? I think its something I make myself, but I don't know where to start with that! As you can see, I'm a bit lost...please, guide me (if possible). Thank you!

For your testing server you should be able to test this out by creating a connection to your db from within Dreamweaver. If everything is setup correctly then you will not have any problem establishing the connection. When you test it you will get a positive confirmation.

As for what the values that are being asked from you in the wizard the quickest way to get this info is to use the help buttons. They will take you to the help documentation that is specific to that page of the wizard.

The support page for this product has some other very good resources. In the Solution Recipes section you will find some topics that match your questions here about the wizard and the values. The files you need for the Solution Recipes are found in the download area for Security Assist under the heading:

Solution Recipes: Support Files

Here is a link to the support page for Security Assist:

securityassist/

Thank you for all of the information and link! I will read everything and see how it helps...

Please don't hesitate to post back with any questions that you have or if you encounter any issues along the way.