Entry

What are some basic MySQL commands that I should know?

Jul 16th, 2000 05:47
t dinesh, Philip Olson,

Some basic / useful commands are as follows :

While NOT yet connected to MySQL :

- connect to MySQL

   mysql -uUsername -pPassword

- connect to MySQL , directly to a database
  
   mysql -uUsername -pPassword DbName

- upload a MySQL schema into my Database

   mysql -uUsername -pPassword DbName < schema.sql

- dump a DB (copy DB for backup)

   mysql -uUsername -pPassword DbName > contents-of-db.sql

While connected to MySQL :

- display all databases

   show databases;

- connect to a Database

   use DbName;

- view tables of a Database (must be connected to the Database)

   show tables;

- view contents of a table (must be connected to the Database)

   select * from TableName;

Thoughts related to the above

- If you want to be prompted for your password rather then type
  it in the command line directly, just use -p vs -pPassword

- If you are not using MySQL as your local host, use the -h option so :

   mysql -uUsername -p -hHostname

- Keep in mind that there are many ways to do everything in 
  most programs, languages ... MySQL included.

- A useful Alias is as follows.  You'd put this in your .bashrc 
  file which is usually located in your user root directory (~username/)

     alias my='mysql -uUsername -p'

  that way it cuts down on typing.  for example, to connect to a 
  db you just do :

     my DbName
  
  and then enter your password (DON'T store your MySQL  
  password in .bashrc!!!)

- Using a ' ; ' after a command while in MySQL executes that command

---

This should get you going ... ;)