LinuxQuestions.org - Horde, PHP and MySQL

I'm trying to set up the Imp webmail on a fresh new Slack 8.1 install.
Thus, i'm running apache server 1.3.26, which works just perfect for my needs.
I installed PHP 4.2.2 without any problem, and also Horde 2.1.
But i'm having some problems configuring it.

This is what the INSTALL doc has to say:

"2. Creating databases

The specific steps to create a preferences storage container depend
on which database you've chosen to use.

First, look in scripts/db/ to see if a "_create" script already
exists for your database. If so, you should be able to simply
execute that script as superuser in your database.

Be sure to change the default password, "horde", to something
else before creating the tables! (Remember to use this password
when you configuls
Horde in the next step.)

If such a script does not exist, you'll need to build your own, using
the files auth.sql, prefs.sql, and category.sql as a starting point.
If you need assistance in creating databases for a database for
which no "_create" script exists, you may wish to let us know on
the Horde mailing list.

Note that the "_drop" scripts in the scripts/db/ directory remove
the changes made by the "_create" scripts."

My problem is i've never had any experience with mysql or with any kind of database as for that maters... (i do have mysql installed though), so i have absolutely no idea of how it works.
When i execute the mysql_create.sql script it asks for an sql server..

Is it absolutely vital to learn mysql and set it up before i can do what i really want??
Will i always be needing to have mysql running when using Horde??

Any insights and wisdoms GREATLY appreciated.

Santiago Boselli