MySql commands

This is a short-list of handy MySQL commands that I have to use time and time again, in my development machine as well as in servers and for importing and exporting databases.

Login to mysql console (from unix shell)

  $ mysql -u user -p
  # if host name is required
  $ mysql -h hostname -u user -p

Create a new database

  mysql> create database databasename;

List all databases

  mysql> show databases;

Switch to a database

  mysql> use database_name;

List tables

  mysql> show tables;

See database’s field formats.

   mysql> describe table_name;

Drop a db.

  mysql> drop database database_name;

Delete a table.

  mysql> drop table table_name;

Show all data in a table.

  mysql> SELECT * FROM table_name;

Returns the columns and column information pertaining to the designated table.

  mysql> show columns from table_name;

Set a root password if there is on root password.

  $ mysqladmin -u root password newpassword

Update a root password.

  $ mysqladmin -u root -p oldpassword newpassword

Recover a MySQL root password. Stop the MySQL server process. Start again with no grant tables. Login to MySQL as root. Set new password. Exit MySQL and restart MySQL server.

  $ /etc/init.d/mysql stop
  $ mysqld_safe --skip-grant-tables &
  $ mysql -u root
  mysql> use mysql;
  mysql> update user set password=PASSWORD("newrootpassword") where User='root';
  mysql> flush privileges;
  mysql> quit
  $ /etc/init.d/mysql stop
  $ /etc/init.d/mysql start

Export a database for backup.

  $ mysqldump -u user -p database_name > file.sql

Import a database

  $ mysql -p -u username database_name < file.sql

Dump all databases

  $ mysqldump -u root -password --opt > alldatabases.sql

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