MySQL is a very fast, multi-threaded, multi-user SQL database server. It can utilize multiple CPUs, supports many column types and very large databases. MySQL does not currently support foreign keys and subselects though its blazing speed, flexibility, and price (free) make it very attractive.

No matter how easy to manage data in PHP, sooner or later you will need the power of a relational database server. SQL is a wonder language: simple yet extremely powerful. It enables queries written in plain English, and can handle very complex queries. MySQL is an ideal choice for a database server because of its powerful features and tight integration with PHP.

3.2 Where can I get it?

If you want to install MySQL under Windows, you can download the latest version directly from Wow Web Designs. If you are going to install it under anything other than Windows you can find several different versions for various platforms at http://www.mysql.com/Downloads/. You can download binaries (already compiled, executable versions) for faster installation. However I prefer to download source distributions and compile them on my own system for best performance and full control over the installation process. You also cannot always find the latest release in already compiled form for your system. Meanwhile, compiling may take a long time (up to a few hours) on slow systems. If you decide to compile MySQL, download the Tarball (mysql-3.23.xx.tar.gz) at the above location where xx is the latest release. I will explain the installation process step by step in the next section.

3.3 How can I install it?

For Windows

[mysqld]
basedir=
drive:/installation-path/

Run the Setup program, and install it to a folder of your choice such as C:\MySQL or C:\Program Files\MySQL. That's all. I will explain how to run and configure it in the following sections.

MySQL Components.

For Unix (including Linux)

Download MySQL in a directory of your choice, if you already didn't. The command bellow will download it for you where xx is the latest version. You can of course download it with your web browser too:

wget http://www.mysql.com/Downloads/MySQL-3.23/mysql-3.23.xx.tar.gz

Assuming that the MySQL archive is in the current directory decompress it with

gunzip -c mysql-3.23.xx.tar.gz | tar -xvf -

This will create a directory named mysql-3.23.xx in the current directory. Change to it by typing

cd mysql-3.23.xx

Now create a group named mysql:

groupadd mysql

Create a user named mysql belonging to group mysql:

useradd -g mysql mysql

Run the configuration program with the most common options. This will configure MySQL for to be installed to the default location (/usr/local/mysql). Even if you have lots of memory, compiling may take forever (and I mean it) if you don't use the --with-low-memory option because a file called sql_yacc.cc in the source distribution needs huge amounts of memory to compile. So use that option, you won't lose anything.

./configure --prefix=/usr/local/mysql --with-low-memory

Compile MySQL by running the make utility

make

When compiling ends, copy MySQL to its location by typing

make install

Install MySQL grant tables

scripts/mysql_install_db

Change the ownership of the installation to user mysql we created a few steps above:

chown -R mysql /usr/local/mysql
chgrp -R mysql /usr/local/mysql

Congratulations! The installation is complete.

3.4 How can I run it? For Windows

Change to the folder you installed MySQL by using My Computer or Windows Explorer. Change to the bin folder. If you are using Windows 9x, run either mysqld.exe or mysqld-opt.exe (the latter is optimized for Pentium processors).

If you are using Windows NT or 2000 open the DOS prompt; change to the MySQL bin folder, and type

mysqld-nt --install
NET START mysql

For Unix (including Linux)

To start MySQL type the following (assuming that you installed it in /usr/local/mysql), and don't forget the ampersand (&).

/usr/local/mysql/bin/safe_mysqld --user=mysql &

3.5 MySQL Resources on the Web

Now you are up and running why don't you check out the following SQL & MySQL resources on the Web for more information (sorted by popularity):
Official MySQL Tutorial

A tutorial showing the basics of MySQL

Building a Database-Driven Web Site Using PHP and MySQL

A series of hands-on articles on creating database-driven web sites

MySQL Documentation

Searchable MySQL manual with user comments

SQL Interpreter & Tutorial

Introductory SQL tutorial with on-line SQL intrepreter to practice

Rating: 9.5 (5 votes)