Overview Of The Mysql Database Management System; What Is Mysql - Oracle 5.0 Reference Manual

This means that if you were to enter a similar statement, you would supply your own database, table,
and column names, perhaps like this:
mysql> SELECT author_name FROM biblio_db.author_list;
SQL keywords are not case sensitive and may be written in any lettercase. This manual uses
uppercase.
In syntax descriptions, square brackets ("[" and "]") indicate optional words or clauses. For example, in
the following statement,
DROP TABLE [IF EXISTS]
When a syntax element consists of a number of alternatives, the alternatives are separated by vertical
bars ("|"). When one member from a set of choices may be chosen, the alternatives are listed within
square brackets ("[" and "]"):
TRIM([[BOTH | LEADING | TRAILING] [remstr] FROM] str)
When one member from a set of choices must be chosen, the alternatives are listed within braces ("{"
and "}"):
{DESCRIBE | DESC}
An ellipsis (...) indicates the omission of a section of a statement, typically to provide a shorter
version of more complex syntax. For example,
of statement that has an
SELECT
An ellipsis can also indicate that the preceding syntax element of a statement may be repeated. In
the following example, multiple
preceded by commas:
RESET reset_option
Commands for setting shell variables are shown using Bourne shell syntax. For example, the sequence
to set the
CC
syntax:
shell> CC=gcc ./configure
If you are using
shell> setenv CC gcc
shell> ./configure

1.3. Overview of the MySQL Database Management System

1.3.1. What is MySQL?

MySQL, the most popular Open Source SQL database management system, is developed, distributed,
and supported by Oracle Corporation.
The MySQL Web site (http://www.mysql.com/) provides the latest information about MySQL software.
• MySQL is a database management system.
A database is a structured collection of data. It may be anything from a simple shopping list to
a picture gallery or the vast amounts of information in a corporate network. To add, access, and
process data stored in a computer database, you need a database management system such
as MySQL Server. Since computers are very good at handling large amounts of data, database
management systems play a central role in computing, as standalone utilities, or as parts of other
applications.
• MySQL databases are relational.
Overview of the MySQL Database Management System
IF EXISTS
tbl_name
tbl_name [col_name
INTO OUTFILE
reset_option
[,reset_option] ...
environment variable and run the
or tcsh, you must issue commands somewhat differently:
csh
is optional:
| wild]
SELECT ... INTO OUTFILE
clause following other parts of the statement.
values may be given, with each of those after the first
configure
4
is shorthand for the form
command looks like this in Bourne shell