Connecting Unity to Mysql

Is it possible to connect Unity to Mysql directly so that I can use SELECT statements from within Unity? I get the impression that this is possible but cannot find any tutorials showing this from start to finish. I have found this but haven't been able to make it work. Step one is to unzip a package but when i unzip I just get a .rar file and not the package (using a mac). So I didn't get further than that... Is this even possible or am I chasing a complete dead end? I have a working database that I am using with the browser-based version of my game already

 

If you're publishing your applications, you shouldn't open up your database for the public, so you shouldn't connect your Unity app/game to the database directly. Write a backend application / PHP script / whatever, which responds only specific queries and connect that to your database.
For local database, there are much more efficient database solutions than MySQL like (iBoxDb or SQLite, I prefer the first one, it's faster than the second).

 

I thought it would be easier to just use the database I had... I've heard of Firebase and SQLite, but not iBoxDb. It seems like a really steep learning curve to be able to use these, what do you recommend for someone who is very new at backend coding?

 

Again, if you're writing a backend layer, then use whatever you know and you can set up properly.
If you want local database (calling from your game), then SQLite or iBoxDB or other non-relational database can be used, many has .NET and/or Unity API.

 

Ok, if it is possible to use mysql I definitely want to stick with that. I have been working on this tutorial today and i am able to make changes to the database, but are there security risks in accessing the database like this?

 

Again, yes. You're opening your database for everyone. It is highly risky. Write a backend layer application on your server as I described in my first post.

 

Alright, so the tutorial I linked is not a safe approach? I am really new at this; I am unsure if what I have done by following the tutorial qualifies as having written a backend layer application on my server.

This is one way I have used this:

Code (CSharp):

1. public void RetrievePlayers()
2.     {
3.         using(MySqlConnection connection = new MySqlConnection(stringBuilder.ConnectionString))
4.         {
5.             try
6.             {
7.                 connection.Open();
8.                 MySqlCommand command = connection.CreateCommand();
9.                 command.CommandText = "SELECT playername FROM highscores LIMIT 5";
10.                 var reader = command.ExecuteReader();
11.                 while (reader.Read())
12.                 {
13.                     var ordinal = reader.GetOrdinal("playername");
14.                     string playername = reader.GetString(ordinal);
15.                     Debug.Log(playername);
16.                  
17.                     GameObject newButton = Instantiate(horseButton) as GameObject;
18.                     newButton.transform.SetParent(canvas.transform, false);
19.                     string title = playername;
20.                     newButton.GetComponentInChildren<Text>().text = title;
21.                 }
22.                 connection.Close();
23.             }
24.             catch(System.Exception ex)
25.             {
26.                 Debug.LogError("DBInterface: Could not retrieve the five! " + System.Environment.NewLine + ex.Message);
27.             }
28.         }
29.     }