Question Create MySQL database

[Access2007User]

Hello good day!

Newbie here. I want to learn how to use MySQL but first I have basic questions: What is the database of mysql ? and where are the records saved? Is it the same with access that the records are saved in the tables where the tables are in the database file? If not, can you tell me ?

 

[georgedwilkinson]

MySQL is the DBMS of MySQL. The data is saved in (virtual) tables in files on the DBMS server's disk drive. It runs as a server process, unlike Access, but very much like MS SQL Server or Oracle.

In fact, it is not much like Access except that they both use Structured Query Language (SQL) and they both run on computers. Well, there may be one or two more similarities. There is no GUI interface for MySQL and no development tool for making user interfaces for your users.

As such, if you're going to develop with MySQL, you'll want to get the administrator's tool and/or SQLYog (SQLYog enterprise can be a bit expensive if this is just a hobby).

MySQL's online documentation is quite thorough but, unless you already have a good background in relational databases, you might find it rough going.

Feel free to post back here if you have additional questions. My friend on this forum, Banana, is quite an expert on this topic.

 

[Access2007User]

virtual tables in files?

what are these "files"?

So the data are in these "files" ?

 

[Atomic Shrimp]

virtual tables in files?

what are these "files"?

So the data are in these "files" ?

Yes, but none of that matters - because you interact with the database server, not the files.

 

[georgedwilkinson]

All things on computers are stored in files. The files are really not very relevant when you're talking about a real-live DBMS (unless you're the DBA managing day to day operations)...the server process is.

All tables are "virtual". They are a logical construct that have several physical attributes within a file. The DBMS manages all that so you don't have to understand it to use it.

The thing you need to remember right off about MySQL that is different from Access is that you manage a server process, which may have many databases, not an MDB file that contains 1 database. Don't get hung up on the file(s).

Of course, if you don't understand Access, you'll need to understand tables, views/queries, primary keys, unique constraints, referential integrity/foreign keys, data types, etc., and especially, normalization. You won't get anything out of any DBMS without much of this knowledge.

 

[Access2007User]

Yes but I would still like to know. Because I think if the data are stored in these "files" then I can moved or copy this file from one computer to another under a server so that I can work with it on the other computer. Am I right?

 

[georgedwilkinson]

Not the way you can in Access. You'll need to read the MySQL manuals to learn how to move data from one MySQL server to another.

 

[Atomic Shrimp]

If you do a google on 'portable MySQL', you'll find a number of solutions out there that will enable you to install it on thumb drives, etc, so you can take it from one machine to another.

 

[georgedwilkinson]

But remember, you still need a server process running MySQL on whatever device you move it to.

 

[boblarson]

And perhaps this (just Googled) will help you also.