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B.1. MySQL Tools

When you administer a MySQL database, you usually have two main options for administration tools: the standard command-line toolset, or a graphical interface. Despite the attitudes of many hardened system administrators, there's absolutely nothing wrong with using a graphical tool to get the job done. Although the command-line interface offers unlimited control over the database, it just can't match the speed and clarity of a good graphical user interface to help facilitate your administration workflow.

If you're looking for a good set of GUI-based MySQL administration tools, you need look no further than MySQL AB's own MySQL Administrator and MySQL Query Browser.

B.1.1. MySQL Administrator

MySQL Administrator is a feature-rich GUI administration tool or maintaining MySQL databases. The main interface is shown in Figure B.1.

Figure B.1. Figure B.1

MySQL Administrator allows you to do the following:

• View real-time server information, including connection information and statistics, memory statistics, the value for MySQL internal variables and configuration settings, and more.

• View the different server logs: Error log, Slow log, General Log (localhost only).

• Control the MySQL process itself (localhost only).

• Perform backup and restore operations, and even schedule periodic backups.

• Administer the server's user access and privileges.

• Create and edit complete databases, ...