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