php mysql db call from not working

Hi. This is a lamp problem but I don't know which one is the culprit. I cannot call a mysql database using a php script. Here is the line in the script: mysql_connect('localhost', 'username', 'password'); I have also tried to use the call indirectly by placing it in a variable for use in a select database call. $mysql_link = mysql_connect('localhost', 'username', 'password'); In either case, it keeps giving me the same error message: Fatal error: Call to undefined function: mysql_pconnect() in /var/www/html/install.php on line 7 This is a new installation of redhat 7.3 and this is my first attempt at running a mysql script in that box. I can bring mysql up in bash with mysql -h localhost -u username -ppassword <enter> and also with the mysqlcc gui..., but it goes broke when it comes to the script. Anyone have any ideas? Many thanks. Floyd --