So...I'm just getting really frustrated now. I've been reading through several of these chapters several times. My school always tends to not choose books well. On to the issue though.
In several sections I've noted it stating "Connect to MySQL and select the forum database." This is where the issue lies. I have MySQL and PHP installed in both operating systems of my laptop (Linux and Windows) and in neither does the referenced database exist. The book does not even state WHERE or HOW to have this included.
How is a person supposed to follow the examples if some crucial components were left out? It's like giving directions by saying "Just follow me" while in a car to a person on a bicycle. Saying follow me would be completely worthless.
If someone can at least point me in the right direction to actually have these referenced databases...or to a quality book. Either way.