Title: WordPress front end sql backend
Last modified: March 3, 2023

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# WordPress front end sql backend

 *  Resolved [George Moureau](https://wordpress.org/support/users/georgepiccexcellencecom/)
 * (@georgepiccexcellencecom)
 * [3 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-front-end-sql-backend/)
 * We’re converting our site to a WordPress front end with a mysql backend. We provide
   online training for vascular nurses and clinicians which comes with CE credits
   for courses completed. All of that is managed through a mysql database.
 * Marketing wants to control the page copy and look which is fine. They will use
   WordPress CMS to do as they please with the look of the site. Everything works.
   While the back end is not managed through the CMS we can match the look through
   separate css.
 * My only issue is how to let the WordPress front end know when a customer is logged
   into the mysql backend. I know WP uses cookies for this, can I direct it to specific
   cookies generated by our login program?
 * Just looking for ideas on this.

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

 *  Moderator [threadi](https://wordpress.org/support/users/threadi/)
 * (@threadi)
 * [3 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-front-end-sql-backend/#post-16527415)
 * I’m a little confused. MySQL is a database system and has nothing to do with “
   login” or “CSS”. There are only records in the database and you can query them–
   nothing more.
 * I have a guess what you are about:
   You have the wordpress installation with its
   own database. And you have a separate database next to it whose data you want
   to access. For the latter, you would need a custom plugin that allows you to 
   access this database from within WordPress.
 * If I have misunderstood, please describe in more detail what you have before 
   dirt.
 *  Moderator [bcworkz](https://wordpress.org/support/users/bcworkz/)
 * (@bcworkz)
 * [3 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-front-end-sql-backend/#post-16528152)
 * There’s no way an external app could generate a usable WP auth cookie. Only WP
   can do that. It is feasible to override the WP authentication scheme to allow
   some external process to validate the user login. Users still would need to login
   separately in each case, but authentication is handled in one place so any account
   changes are automatically utilized in either location.
 * It’s also feasible to send WP a certain HTTPS request that would cause a user
   to become logged in. This would be a custom coded solution. The request and subsequent
   handshake exchange would need to be very carefully designed to ensure adequate
   security. I’m thinking something like an oAuth exchange.
 * There are a few single sign on (SSO) plugins that might meet your needs. The 
   critical need would be for SSO to be compatible with the external system.
 *  Thread Starter [George Moureau](https://wordpress.org/support/users/georgepiccexcellencecom/)
 * (@georgepiccexcellencecom)
 * [3 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-front-end-sql-backend/#post-16532439)
 * Yes, mysql is a database, we’re using MariaDB specifically. To clarify, We have
   customer login information stored in a mysql database. When a customer logs in,
   their login id and password are validated against values stored in the database.
   When their login information is validated, cookies are created for use during
   their stay on our website and removed once they’re done. Essentially all activities,
   course access, tests,etc., are performed during their session are supported through
   the database and has nothing to do with WordPress. As I mentioned, the WordPress
   side simply provides the front end look.
 *  Moderator [bcworkz](https://wordpress.org/support/users/bcworkz/)
 * (@bcworkz)
 * [3 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-front-end-sql-backend/#post-16533716)
 * For what purpose does WP front end need to know about users logged into this 
   other backend? Can WP access this information from this other server, such as
   via an API? What authentication, if any, would WP need to access this information?
   It sounds like you don’t so much need a WP auth cookie as much as some kind of
   authentication for this other backend.
 * In fact, unless it’s blocked by a firewall or something, WP could connect directly
   to this other DB and make its own queries as needed.
 *  Thread Starter [George Moureau](https://wordpress.org/support/users/georgepiccexcellencecom/)
 * (@georgepiccexcellencecom)
 * [3 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-front-end-sql-backend/#post-16533738)
 * Yeah, see I don’t want all of the WordPress functionality. This site has been
   around for 20 plus years and I’m converting the look and feel so the marketers
   can control the copy. I don’t want a WordPress login screen, etc.
 * Actually, I’ve found a reasonable work around that solves my problem. Instead
   of having a _login_ showing on the Navbar, I’m using _sign in/my account_. The
   actual login program will check for our login cookie and either jump to the login
   screen or their account information screen.
 * So, problem solved. Thanks everyone for your thought and ideas.

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

The topic ‘WordPress front end sql backend’ is closed to new replies.

## Tags

 * [wordpress login](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/wordpress-login/)

 * In: [Developing with WordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/forum/wp-advanced/)
 * 5 replies
 * 3 participants
 * Last reply from: [George Moureau](https://wordpress.org/support/users/georgepiccexcellencecom/)
 * Last activity: [3 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-front-end-sql-backend/#post-16533738)
 * Status: resolved

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