[phpMyAdmin](https://www.phpmyadmin.net/) is a PHP interface to MySQL tables. It permits a browser client to inspect and modify a MySQL database across a network. It permits a Graphical User interface to achieve almost the same level of control as can be achieved via ssh and the command-line tool "mysql". But for most users, who do not use the (text-based) command-line interface regularly, phpMyAdmin is much easier to learn and remember.
1. When MySQL is installed, it is prepared to create its own set of users and passwords that is distinct from the usernames and passwords that is maintained by the operating system. Initially the only user permitted to add or change users is a user named "root" who is already signed on (and therefore knows the Linux root password). The normal path for person setting up a MySQL database is to use the "mysql" command line tool to create new users and assign passwords.
2. phpMyAdmin, because it is a browser-based HTML PHP application, is limited in what it can do, and what it can access — until the "root" user creates users and access privileges, as mentioned above. (HTML servers always run with very low privileges)
1. First, a user will need to set `phpmyadmin_install: True` and `phpmyadmin_enabled: True` in [/etc/iiab/local_vars.yml](http://wiki.laptop.org/go/IIAB/FAQ#What_is_local_vars.yml_and_how_do_I_customize_it%3F)
