Step 2 – Edit the SQL file

Open the directory installation->sql->mysql. You will be presented with the following files:

Contents of installation->sql->mysql directory

Open the file joomla.sql in your editor and edit the database table prefix. Use the Find and Replace command of your editor and enter #__ (hash double-underscore) in the Find field and jos_ in the Replace field and select Enter. Save the file ensuring this is done with UTF-8 NO BOM encoding only. This is extremely important for the operability of the installation. This file will create the table structure of your Joomla! Database.

If you want to add the Sample Data to your database you need to follow the same procedure with the sample_data.sql file, again ensuring it is saved with UTF-8 No BOM encoding only.

The BOM adds a line of code to the top of a data stream - much like a signature. Joomla! does not require this signature and accordingly you must always ensure that the editor you use does not add it. Windows Notepad for example, adds this code amongst other things and should always be avoided.