MAMP database for Joomla 3 - Joomla! Forum - community, help and support

i started process few days ago, kind of got lost in process.
installed mamp 2.1.1, put joomla site in htdocs folder.
tonight i've gone , accessed installation page , began process of installing, realized didn't have database set up.

when install joomla site on host server (not mamp) create database first in phpmyadmin, go , unzip joomla folder , go through installation process.

mamp kind of confusing me (especially because i'm using new v 2.1.1), i'm kind of lost in procedure. can't find exact instructional procedure both joomla 3 , mamp 2.1.1. i'm kind of winging here. different old mamp , joomla 3 different old joomla.

so, q is: i'm on database configuration page on mamp joomla 3 site, , i'm not sure if i'm supposed make database name there, or if should have been creating database first in phpmyadmin.

one other issue, when went phpmyadmin in mamp, see joomla_3 listed there. (see screen shot). when started installation process, did begin database process, , why there?

joomla not create database. if have joomla_3 database in mamp, put there.

here procedure use.
- create new database
- unzip joomla package in folder
- in mamp, add new host , point @ folder extracted package
- point browser new host created.
that should start install script. enter database credentials.

i assume when mamp database config page, mean phpmyadmin (mamp not have db config page).

to create new db in phpmyadmin, click on localhost link @ top , click databases tab , enter name new db , click create.