moving a mysql database

Anon

Hi There,

If I have a Mysql db on my server and I want to give a copy of the db to a friend, can I download the mysql db from one server and then upload it to his server in the same mysql directory, then make the changes to the mysql table (adding user,pass,etc) using phpmyadmin? or is there more to it?

Thanks,

-dr

[deleted]

use mysqldump, read the manual.

Anon

There is another easy way, you can just copy all data in the var directory and give it to your friend. Thats what I really like about mysql!

I think you have to check, whether the versions are the same!

[deleted]

"There is another easy way, you can just copy all data in the var directory and give it to your friend. Thats what I really like about mysql!"

Note: this is possibly the worst feature that MySQL has. Before you can do this safely, you MUST lock the tables you are copying, or shutdown the database engine.
If you don't, you risk losing the entire table. Never ever touch any programs data files!

In short: learn to do things properly, and use mysqldump.

Anon

Ok, for a production environment, I have to admit that, because you can't just shut down your RDBMS-System for a while, but for developement environment and for quick server moves and replicatio, you have to admit, that is really quick and easy.

On the other hand, when you aren't able to get the skills to run sqlloader etc. you should better give it up 🙂)

[deleted]

Indeed it is a very quick and simple way to move/copy your databases, but it is so F-ing simple to completely f*ck up your databases that I really woudn't recommend doing it in a development environment either. When a MySQL table gets corrupted, it begins to behave unreliably and very very strange. It would be a pity to spend a week debugging your script only to find out that moving the database corrupted it and your script was 100% all the time...