Free MySQL Hosting
Free MySQL Hosting is a practical MySQL task. Split it: (1) is the server running? (2) can this client connect (host, port 3306, user, password)? (3) USE the right database?
Install / Workbench / Docker / XAMPP all still end at: mysql -u user -p or a GUI connection with the same four fields. If Workbench says cannot connect, the server is down or the password/host is wrong — not ‘SQL is broken’.
Remote access: bind-address, user@'%', firewall, never open root to the world. Docker: port map 3306, MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD env.
Trap — installing only the client. Trap: two MySQL services fighting on 3306.
On the example next to this theory: Free MySQL Hosting: create two demo rows, then SELECT qty >= 2 ordered. Say which labels come back.
Server up? Then connect with user@host. SELECT VERSION();