How to connect to MySQL from the command line

This article describes how to connect to MySQL from the command line using the mysql program. You can use the mysql program as a quick and easy way to access your databases directly.

Connecting to MySQL from the Command Line

To connect to MySQL from the command line, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your A2 Hosting account using SSH.
2. At the command line, type the following command, replacing username with your username:

   mysql -u username -p

3. At the Enter Password prompt, type your password. When you type the correct password, the mysql> prompt appears.

4. To display a list of databases, type the following command at the mysql> prompt:
   

   show databases;

   Make sure you do not forget the semicolon at the end of the statement.

5. To access a specific database, type the following command at the mysql> prompt, replacing dbname with the name of the database that you want to access:
   

   use dbname;

   Make sure you do not forget the semicolon at the end of the statement.

6. After you access a database, you can run SQL queries, list tables, and so on. Additionally:
   

   • To view a list of MySQL commands, type help at the mysql> prompt.
   • To exit the mysql program, type \q at the mysql> prompt.

   When you run a command at the mysql> prompt, you may receive a warning message if MySQL encounters a problem. For example, you may run a query and receive a message that resembles the following:

   Query OK, 0 rows affected, 1 warning (0.04 sec).

   To view the complete warning message, type the following command:

   SHOW WARNINGS;

More Information

• For more information about the mysql command line program, please visit http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.1/en/mysql.html.
• To learn more about hosting your MySQL database with A2 Hosting, click here.