<?php
/*
 * To change this template, choose Tools | Templates
 * and open the template in the editor.
 */
function connect_mysql($mysql_host, $mysql_user, $mysql_password){  //connect to mysql database, or close connection and display error

    $connect_mysql = mysql_connect($mysql_host, $mysql_user, $mysql_password);

    if (!$connect_mysql){
        die('Could not connect: ' . mysql_error());
    }

    return ( $connect_mysql );
}

function select_db($mysql_db, $connect_mysql){  //select the database we are going to be using

    $select_db = mysql_select_db($mysql_db, $connect_mysql);

    if (!$select_db){
      die ('Could not select db : '. mysql_error());
    }
}

$mysql_host = 'localhost';
$mysql_user = 'root';
$mysql_password = 'asdf!';
$mysql_db = 'asdf';

$connect_mysql = connect_mysql($mysql_host, $mysql_user, $mysql_password);
select_db($mysql_db, $connect_mysql);
?>