MySQL (community version) has been downloaded and installed.

Question #1:
Can the PHP server that comes with PHPed be configured to connect to the MySQL data base? Or does NuSphere's TechPlatform need to be installed?

Question #2:
Is there a dummies guide for configuring the connections for MySQL?

Question #3:
And any helpful tips on testing the setup to verify it is working would be appreciated.

[I've been going over the posting and FAQs and now more confused than when I started.]

1/ The built in server just uses a regular PHP distribution. You can modify the settings for it by editing the PHP.INI file in either the php (php 4) or the php5 folder of the PhpED installation location. I think the mysql extension is enabled by default so normally no changes should be necessary.

2/ Checkout this (comments should help) or take a look at the mysqli extension when you are using PHP5 (the mysqli extension is not enabled by default!) for initial connection. Take a look at the query functions for the rest.

3/ Make sure you check the return codes, should get you a long way already