[Mysql_Connect Statement Not Connecting To Database]

I am attempting to try and connect to my mysql database.  I am using apache webserver.  When I run a php script through localhost through my browser the script works well.  When I run my mysql_connect.php then all I get is a blank page.  nothing happens. I placed an echo statement at the end to verify that it connected.  The echo statement doesn't appear when I refresh the page.

 

Here is my code:

 

<?php # Script 7.2 - mysql_connect.php

 

// This file contains the database access information. 

// This file also establishes a connection to MySQL and selects the database.

 

// Set the database access information as constants.

DEFINE ('DB_USER', 'root');

DEFINE ('DB_PASSWORD', 'xxxxxxxxx');

DEFINE ('DB_HOST', 'localhost:3306');

DEFINE ('DB_NAME', 'reg');

 

// Make the connnection.

$dbc = @mysqli_connect(DB_HOST, DB_USER, DB_PASSWORD) OR die ('Could not connect to MySQL: ' . mysql_error() );

 

// Select the database.

@mysqli_select_db(DB_NAME) OR die ('Could not select the database: ' . mysql_error() );

 

echo 'hello';

?>