PHP and MySQL for Dynamic Web Sites: Visual Quickpro Guide, Second Edition

Using the mysql Client

In order to create tables, add records, and request information from a database, some sort of client application is necessary to communicate with the database server. Although there are oodles of client applications available (see the sidebar “Alternatives to the mysql Client”), I’ll focus on using the mysql client (or mysql monitor, as it is also called). Although this application does not have a pretty graphical interface, it’s a reliable, standard tool that’s easy to use and behaves consistently on many different operating systems.

The mysql client is accessed from a command-line interface, be it the Terminal application in Linux or Mac OS X, or a DOS prompt in Windows. It can take several arguments up front, including ...