WordPress installation - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is the first step in installing WordPress?

Download the latest WordPress package from the official website wordpress.org.

beginner

Why do you need a database for WordPress?

WordPress uses a database to store all your website content, settings, and user information.

intermediate

What file do you configure to connect WordPress to your database?

The wp-config.php file contains the database name, username, password, and host details.

intermediate

What happens during the WordPress installation script?

It creates necessary tables in the database and sets up the admin user and site details.

beginner

Can you install WordPress on your local computer without a web host?

Yes, by using software like XAMPP or MAMP that simulates a web server and database locally.

Where do you get the official WordPress installation files?

A wordpress.org

B wordpress.com

C github.com

D bitbucket.org

The official WordPress installation files are downloaded from wordpress.org, not wordpress.com which is a hosting service.

Which database system does WordPress primarily use?

A SQLite

B MongoDB

C PostgreSQL

D MySQL or MariaDB

WordPress primarily uses MySQL or MariaDB databases to store its data.

What is the purpose of the wp-config.php file?

A To store theme settings

B To connect WordPress to the database

C To upload media files

D To manage plugins

The wp-config.php file contains database connection details needed for WordPress to work.

Which software can you use to install WordPress locally?

A XAMPP

B Photoshop

C Microsoft Word

D Slack

XAMPP is a local server environment that lets you run WordPress on your own computer.

What information do you provide during the WordPress installation script?

A Admin username and password

B Site title

C All of the above

D Email address

During installation, WordPress asks for admin username, password, site title, and email address.

Describe the main steps to install WordPress on a new web host.

Think about what you do from getting files to seeing your site live.

Explain why a database is essential for WordPress and how it is connected during installation.

Focus on storage and connection details.

Practice

1. What is the first step in installing WordPress on your web server?

easy

A. Install a WordPress theme

B. Create a new post in WordPress dashboard

C. Download the WordPress installation files from the official website

D. Write custom PHP code for your site

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the installation process

   Installing WordPress starts by getting the WordPress files from the official source.

2. Step 2: Identify the first action

   Downloading the files is the first step before uploading them to your server.

3. Final Answer:

   Download the WordPress installation files from the official website -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   First step = Download files [OK]

Hint: Start by downloading files from wordpress.org [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to create content before installation
• Skipping file download step
• Confusing theme installation with WordPress setup

2. Which file must you edit to connect WordPress to your database during installation?

easy

A. wp-config.php

B. index.php

C. functions.php

D. style.css

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the configuration file

   WordPress uses wp-config.php to store database connection details.

2. Step 2: Confirm the file's role

   This file contains database name, username, password, and host info needed for setup.

3. Final Answer:

   wp-config.php -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Database config file = wp-config.php [OK]

Hint: Database settings go in wp-config.php [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Editing index.php for database settings
• Changing style.css instead of config files
• Confusing functions.php with config file

3. After uploading WordPress files and creating a database, what happens when you visit your site URL in a browser?

medium

A. You see a blank white page with no content

B. The WordPress setup wizard starts to guide you through installation

C. The homepage of a default WordPress theme loads immediately

D. An error message about missing plugins appears

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand post-upload behavior

   Once files are uploaded and database is ready, visiting the site triggers setup.

2. Step 2: Identify the expected screen

   The WordPress setup wizard appears to collect site info and create necessary tables.

3. Final Answer:

   The WordPress setup wizard starts to guide you through installation -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Visiting site after upload = Setup wizard [OK]

Hint: Visit URL to start WordPress setup wizard [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Expecting homepage before setup
• Thinking plugins load before installation
• Confusing blank page with successful install

4. You uploaded WordPress files but forgot to create a database. What error will you most likely see when visiting your site?

medium

A. Error establishing a database connection

B. 404 Not Found error

C. Syntax error in wp-config.php

D. White screen with no message

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify missing database impact

   Without a database, WordPress cannot connect to store or retrieve data.

2. Step 2: Recognize the common error message

   WordPress shows "Error establishing a database connection" when it can't find the database.

3. Final Answer:

   Error establishing a database connection -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Missing database = DB connection error [OK]

Hint: No database means connection error message [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Expecting 404 error for missing database
• Thinking syntax error appears without code changes
• Assuming blank screen means no database

5. You want to install WordPress on a server but only have FTP access and no control panel. Which step is crucial to complete installation successfully?

hard

A. Edit the theme files before installation

B. Skip database creation and rely on WordPress to create it automatically

C. Upload only the wp-content folder to the server

D. Manually create the database using a remote tool or ask your host

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand FTP-only limitations

   FTP access allows file upload but not database creation on server.

2. Step 2: Identify how to create database without control panel

   You must create the database remotely or request your hosting provider to create it.

3. Step 3: Recognize importance of database for WordPress

   WordPress cannot install without a database ready to connect to.

4. Final Answer:

   Manually create the database using a remote tool or ask your host -> Option D

5. Quick Check:

   FTP only means manual DB creation needed [OK]

Hint: FTP alone can't create DB; ask host or use remote tool [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming WordPress creates DB automatically
• Uploading partial files only
• Editing theme before installation