Creating a dump file

[Stuckagain]

Hi there

I'm very new to MYSQL so please forgive my ignorance!

I've created a database with a single table in MYSQL which is fine.

I'd like to create a dump file so that I can upload it to a web host's database but I can't seem to get the syntax right.

I've tried this:

mysqldump -h localhost -u root -ppassword databasename > dump.sql

and I've tried this:

mysqldump databasename > pathtodumpfile

I end up with the -> appearing. If I add ; then the syntax fails.

Could someone let me know where I'm going wrong.

Thanks in advance.