Stored procedures protect from SQL injection hacks, and they speed up your database server and return records to the PHP page.

Next, use PHP's mysql_select_db function to choose a database on the server. Upon a successful connection, you can now use other PHP functions to query the database and display the results on your ...

Well, if you're ok with free hosting services, Lycos has PHP/MySQL hosting. The adbar that appears on top is a bit annoying, but it vanishes after a bit.