Newbie need help!!

I have just installed Xampp package which includes apache 2,php 5,and mysql 5.Problem is i cannot use mysql.exe.therefore,i cant view my database in mysql.should i install the mysql driver or something?or is there anything i should configure my system to work with mysql?i'm using Windows XP.Please help..

What does it say when you try to run mysql.exe?

the window just appear for a second and disappear,didnt mention anything.

You probably double-clicked mysql.exe in Windows. That's why the window appeared and disappeared. Did you run winmysqladmin.exe? After MySQL is installed you need to run winmysqladmin.exe to setup a username and password for MySQL. Please note that you have to use the command prompt to use MySQL, because you need to login into MySQL by typing for example >mysql -u carolyn -p. -u means user and -p means password. Note that you dont give your password as part of the command line. It will ask you for it. Or you can create a batch file with the following line: @mysql -u carolyn -p. Then you don't have to use the command prompt. Nice!

After that, well, have a blast.

hi Kayosz,i've already tried to run winmysqladmin.exe.then i try to run mysql using command prompt.can u pls teach me how to run it using command propmt because i'm not familiar with it.thanks...

Hi Carolyn,

you said you have already run winmysqladmin.exe. I can safely asume you've already set up a username and password using winmysqladmin.

Now for the fun part. Click start and then run and type cmd in the textfield. Click OK. The command prompt window will pop up. Type mysql -u <username> -p where <username> is your username and press enter. For example: mysql -u carolyn -p, it will ask you to enter your password. Type in your password and press enter.

If successful, you will see something like this:

Welcome to the MYSQL monitor. Commands end with ; or g.
Your MySQL connection id is x to server version: x.x.xx-nt

Type 'help;' or 'h' for help. Type 'c' to clear the buffer.

mysql>

Cool, we have a mysql prompt. Now you can go crazy. To use a particular database for example, mysql, type:

mysql>use mysql

and press enter. Mysql will respond by saying Database changed. Now you can use the SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE commands.

BTW, I suggest you leave the mysql database alone. Messing it up will have you reinstall MySQL. Rather create you own database by typing:

mysql>create database carolyn;

That will create a new database with your name.

Type: use carolyn

to use your newly created database.

Then you create a table in the database by typing:

mysql>create table test(field1 VARCHAR(20), field2 INT(20), field3 TEXT);

Good, we got a table. Now type:

mysql>show tables;

This will show you all the tables in your database. At the moment there is only one table.

Type:

mysql>describe test;

This will show you all the fields in your table.

And that's it. Enjoy. If you want to know more I suggest you read the manual on www.mysql.com, but feel free to ask.

sori to trouble u again kayosz,i've already open command prompt.n type mysql -u myusername -p.but it said 'mysql' is not recognized as an internal or external command,operable program or batch file.my username is mysql.pls help..

Hi Carolyn,

you can trouble me as many times as you wish.

Sounds like mysql is not in the Windows XP path variable.

Anyways, I assume you have installed XAMPP to the default directory which is Crogram filesxampp. If so, then go to the command prompt and type the following: cdprogram filesxamppmysqlbin

You should be in the directory where mysql.exe is located.

Now you should be able to login: mysql -u mysql -p

BTW, if you don't like all this text-based database interaction and prefer Windows rather, I suggest you download phpmyadmin from www.phpmyadmin.net. Try to get version 2.6.4. Very user friendly and you can do almost anything.

Let me know.

hey kayosz i've solved the problem with your help,thanks a lot!u rocks man!

Glad I could help.