mysql_pconnect issue

hi... running into a problem that i can't seem to solve... using mysql_pconnect() and i'm trying to figure out what parameters have to be used in order to connect to a local mysql session, where mysql is accessed using the defaults (ie, no user/passwd/hostIP) i can connect via the cli, by doing >>mysql, which accesses the db app.. however, for the life of me, i can't figure out what attributes to use to simply be able to access mysql from within a php app running on apache. it appears that mysql_connect/pconnect requires an actual user/passwd/hostIP in order to work. using mysql_connect("","","") or mysql_connect('""','""','"") returns an error.. i've looked in the php.ini file and set everything (user/passwd/host) to "" with no louck.. any pointers would be helpful. (i can easily access the mysql if i set up a user (grant access.....) but for now, i'm curious as to how to access the default mysql setup... thanks peace