WordPress data not being stored in db?

  • Resolved kshah

    (@kshah)


    9 years, 5 months ago

    I am running WordPress Multisite on my local machine using Docker. All this means is that my WordPress installation is encompassed by a Docker container (rather than directly on the linux machine).

    In order to make my WordPress site a Multisite, I went into the WordPress container’s filesystem and edited the config. There, I saw the themes and plugins I had installed. Why might these all be local to my WordPress installation, and not being stored in my MySQL database? I have linked WordPress to my database properly, and my config file specifies the right host name, username, and password (I checked my logs to make sure it was connecting properly).

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)

  • I went into the WordPress container’s filesystem…saw the themes and plugins I had installed. Why might these all be local to my WordPress installation, and not being stored in my MySQL database?

    The database is where your *settings* for your themes and plugins are stored, and then your database (and as possibly instructed via edits made in wp-config) also tells WordPress where your theme/plugin files are actually located (where you saw them).

    Thread Starter kshah

    (@kshah)

    I see, thank you. I am just having some difficulty understanding the importance of linking to a database if only the settings are stored by the database. Why not just store the settings in the WordPress install itself with everything else?

    I am just having some difficulty understanding the importance of linking to a database if only the settings are stored by the database.

    Maybe take a look here and see at least the default info stored in the database:
    https://codex.www.ads-software.com/Database_Description#Table_Details
    There is much more there than just theme settings.

    Why not just store the settings in the WordPress install itself with everything else?

    I suspect security might be at least part of the answer there in relation to many things, but theme settings are likely stored in the database in order to isolate-protect them from being overwritten during a theme delete-and-replace update.

    Thread Starter kshah

    (@kshah)

    That makes sense–thanks!

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
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