MySQL - Need guidance with some basic stuff

Question

I'm trying to open mySql for learning purposes, but I'm a bit confused.
I found dozens of tutorials online, but none of them explains the basic stuff, instead - they explain the syntax of how to manipulate the information itself.
I'm not interested in that, for now.

I could really use some help with a couple of questions:
I found everywhere that the right way to open the mySql interpreter (is that what this is?) is running the following command from shell:

mysql database_name -h host -u username -p

where (and correct me if I'm wrong) 'mysql' is the interperter, 'database_name' is the data base I want to use, host is the name of the server that the database sits on, and the 'username' is the name of the user - the client.

First of all; what do the words "server" and "client" have to do here anyway? I'm not trying to connect anywhere.
Second, where exactly do the files themselves sit on my computer (meaning the path to the database-files itself), and how do I find it?
Is it possible to have several databases?
How come the command 'mysql' alone (without "database_name -h host -u username -p") also opens the interpreter for me?

Thank you in advanced.

Try and try, you'll surely be able to open mySql. – Jaykishan Mar 18 '14 at 12:49 — Jaykishan, Mar 18 '14 at 12:49

score 2 · Answer 1 · edited May 23 '17 at 10:25

2

How to properly connect to mysql
Where your files are if you are using linux
yes
refer to first bullet

edited May 23 '17 at 10:25

Community

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answered Mar 18 '14 at 12:50

13ruce1337

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score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Mar 18 '14 at 12:54

What do the words "server" and "client" have to do here anyway? I'm not trying to connect anywhere.

SERVER is the name or IP of the computer on which mySQL is running
CLIENT is the name or IP of the computer which is calling the mySQL server they could be 1 in the same.

Second, where exactly do the files themselves sit on my computer (meaning the path to the database-files itself), and how do I find it?

Use the file located at C:\Program Files\MySQL\MySQL Server 5.1\my.ini (or whatever version your using) assuming windows.

Is it possible to have several databases?

Yes

How come the command 'mysql' alone (without "database_name -h host -u username -p") also opens the interpreter for me?

Because it's a stand alone application.

Thank you very much, my friend. I'm running linux, and I know I should have mention it, but 13ruce1337 answered it... — so.very.tired, Mar 18 '14 at 21:26

MySQL - Need guidance with some basic stuff

2 Answers2