MySQL will just sit there unless something tells it to do something. An easy way to start creating databases and adding tables and data to them is to get a GUI (Navicat is an easy one to get started with. When you are ready to learn some more in-depth commands for MySQL, you will want to start familiarizing yourself with the MySQL Reference Manual. When you are ready to start using MySQL from within PHP, you will want to read a good tutorial on the subject. This tutorial should do well for you.