MySQL basics

Getting Started with MySQL

Connecting to MySQL

To access a MySQL db you need:
- user name and password
- host name or IP
- name of db

Two ways to access MySQL directl

• command line:
  • telnet
  • SSH (recommended due to enhanced security)
• MySQL client programs [mysql, mysqladmin, mysqldump]

To access a database from the command line

mysql -u username -ppassword -h hostname databasename

Note: There is no space between the -p and the password. Password after -p is optional here. If left blank, you will be prompted to enter your password.

Using MySQL Client Programs

Install the client programs

Basic Commands

Virtually all commands are terminated with a semicolon. The prompt '->' means MySQL is waiting for more instructions or the semicolon is missing.

Cancel current command \c and press Enter.

MySQL will ignore anything in a command that ends with \c and go back to beginning.

Type exit or quit and press Enter anytime you want to exit. These commands do not require a semicolon.

show databases;

drop database <db_name>;

create database <db_name>;

use <db_name>;

show <table_name>;

describe <table_name>;

drop table <table_name>;