Access Denied to MYSql

Hello All,

I am trying to set up my computer so I can test a website using PHP and MYSql. Setting up mysql has been a quite a chore as I have not seen any one set of great instructions on doing so. However, I think I have it up and running except for one problem. I have been following a tutorial on using MYSql and when they want me to create a data base, i get an error message following this command "create database petstore":

ERROR 1044 (42000): Access denied for user ''@'localhost' to database 'petstore'

This is from the terminal program. I have also tried using CocoaMysql and when that software tries to create a database or even change the "test" database already installed, I also get that same error message.

Now, I am able to start mysql, and I can even look at the "test" database already installed. I have set no passwords for mysql, and I even went through the "mysql secureinstallation" procedure which among other things, asks about resetting the password, which at this time I chose to leave blank. After scouring the internet, I am not able to find any reason for my problem. Does anyone know?

thanks,