PHP & MySQL® Web Development All-in-One Desk Reference for Dummies®

2.1. Understanding the Administrator Responsibilities

Administering MySQL encompasses the tasks required to ensure that MySQL can perform its data management duties in an efficient and secure manner.

You might be responsible for some or all of the administrative tasks, depending on how you access MySQL. If you're using MySQL on a Web hosting company's computer, the hosting company performs most or all of the administrative tasks. However, if you're using MySQL on your local computer, you're the administrator, entirely responsible for the administration of MySQL.

The duties of the administrator include the following:

• Install MySQL. Described in Book I, Chapter 3. If MySQL is running on a Web hosting computer, you're not responsible for installation.

• Start and shut down the MySQL server. Described in Book I, Chapter 3. If MySQL is running on a Web hosting computer, you don't start or stop the server.

• Create and maintain MySQL user accounts. No one can access the data in your database without an account. Accounts need to be installed and removed, passwords added or removed, and privileges assigned to or removed from accounts. We describe administering user accounts in the section "Setting Up MySQL Accounts," later in this chapter.

  If you're using MySQL at a Web hosting company, you might or might not be allowed to create or alter MySQL accounts. You might be limited to one account with defined privileges.

• Back up data. You need to keep backup copies of your data in case the data is lost ...