I'm a computer science student working on a group project and I've set up a MySQL database on my local machine with Maven. I want to allow my teammates to access the same database, but I'm not sure how to do this since it's running locally. We've tried using Docker to containerize it, but we've hit a lot of errors. Is it easier to share the database once our project is hosted on a server? I'm really struggling to understand how all of this works, and I'd appreciate any advice on the best way to allow multiple users to connect to the database.
2 Answers
It sounds like your classmates need to connect to your local IP address instead of their own localhost. Make sure you understand how IP addresses work in this context. If your computer’s firewall is blocking the port (usually 3306 for MySQL), then they won't be able to connect. You could also think about using a server for this project, maybe a cheap VPS which is around $5 a month—this way, everyone in your group can access the database without these hassles.
If your database is on your local machine, your teammates can access it from the same local network by using your computer's IP address. Just remember, if you're trying to expose your device to the internet, tools like port forwarding can help. But honestly, if you're just learning about databases, consider spinning up a hosted virtual machine with MySQL instead of trying to navigate potential network issues with your personal computer. It's simpler and safer!
Thanks! We're considering the VPS option.