What You ll Need

What You'll Need

To start using MySQL and to follow along with the chapters in this book, you will need access to a MySQL server and copies of client applications (software used to access the server).

You do not need your own installed copy of MySQL, but you do need access to a server. You basically have two options:

• Access to an existing MySQL server, perhaps one by your hosting company or place of business or school. To use this server you will be granted a server account (a login name and password).

• You may download and install a free copy of the MySQL server for installation on your own computer (MySQL runs on all major platforms including Windows, Linux, Solaris, Mac OSX, and more).

Tip

If You Can, Install a Local Server For complete control, including access to commands and features that you will probably not be granted is using someone else's MySQL server, install your own local server. Even if you don't end up using your local server as your final production DBMS, you'll still benefit from having complete and unfettered access to all the server has to offer.

Regardless of whether you use a local server, you need client software (the program you use to actually run MySQL commands). The most readily available is the mysql command-line utility (which is included with every MySQL installation). Other important utilities are the MySQL Administrator and the MySQL Query Browser.