In the second edition of MySQL Paul DuBois provides an updated, comprehensive guide to one of the most popular relational database systems.

MySQL is the most popular open source database server in the world, with more than 2 million installations and customers including Yahoo!, MP3.com, Motorola, and NASA.

MySQL 4.0, now generally available, is a long-awaited update to the database management system that has many new features, including a new table definition file format, enhanced replication, and more functions for a full text search.

Instead of giving readers merely an overview of MySQL 4.0, DuBois continues to include the most sought-after answers to the questions he hears most often from the community.

Paul DuBois is a writer, database administrator, and leader in the Open Source community. In addition to MySQL, he is also the author of MySQL and Perl for the Web, MySQL Cookbook, Using csh and tcsh, and Software Portability with imake.

I. GENERAL MYSQL USE.

1. Getting Started with MySQL and SQL.
How MySQL Can Help You. A Sample Database. Basic Database Terminology. A MySQL Tutorial. Tips for Interacting with mysql. Where to Now?

2. Working with Data in MySQL.
MySQL Data Types. MySQL Column Types. Working with Sequences. Character Set Support. Choosing Column Types. Expression Evaluation and Type Conversion.

3. MySQL SQL Syntax and Use.
MySQL Naming Rules. Selecting, Creating, Dropping, and Altering Databases. Creating, Dropping, Indexing, and Altering Tables. Getting Information about Databases and Tables. Retrieving Records from Multiple Tables. Multiple-Table Deletes and Updates. Performing Transactions. Foreign Keys and Referential Integrity. Using FULLTEXT Searches. Writing Comments. Features That MySQL Does Not Support.

4. Query Optimization.
Using Indexing. The MySQL Query Optimizer. Column Type Choices and Query Efficiency. Loading Data Efficiently. Scheduling and Locking Issues. Optimization for Administrators.

II. USING MYSQL PROGRAMMING INTERFACES.

5. Introduction to MySQL Programming.
Why Write Your Own MySQL Programs? APIs Available for MySQL. Choosing an API.

6. The MySQL C API.
General Procedure for Building Client Programs. Client 1—Connecting to the Server. Client 2—Adding Error Checking. Client 3—Getting Connection Parameters at Runtime. Processing Queries. Client 4—An Interactive Query Program. Writing Clients That Include SSL Support. Using the Embedded Server Library. Miscellaneous Topics.

7. The Perl DBI API.
Perl Script Characteristics. Perl DBI Overview. Putting DBI to Work. Using DBI in Web Applications.

8. The PHP API.
PHP Overview. Putting PHP to Work.

III. MYSQL ADMINISTRATION.

9. Introduction to MySQL Administration.
Overview of Administrative Duties. General Administration. Security. Database Repair and Maintenance.

10. The MySQL Data Directory.
Location of the Data Directory. Structure of the Data Directory. Relocating Data Directory Contents.

11. General MySQL Administration.
Securing a New MySQL Installation. Arranging for MySQL Server Startup and Shutdown. Managing MySQL User Accounts. Maintaining Log Files. Additional Server Configuration Topics. Running Multiple Servers. Setting Up Replication Servers. Updating MySQL.

12. Security.
Internal Security: Preventing Unauthorized File System Access. External Security: Preventing Unauthorized Network Access. Setting Up Secure Connections.

13. Database Backups, Maintenance, and Repair.
Coordinating with the Server. Preparing for Disaster. Table Repair and Data Recovery.

IV. APPENDIXES.

Appendix A. Obtaining and Installing Software.
Obtaining the sampdb Sample Database Distribution. Obtaining MySQL and Related Software. Installing MySQL on UNIX. Installing MySQL on Windows.

Appendix B. Column Type Reference.
Numeric Types. String Types. Date and Time Types.

Appendix C. Operator and Function Reference.
Operators. Functions.

Appendix D. SQL Syntax Reference.
SQL Statements. SQL Variables. Comment Syntax.

Appendix E. MySQL Program Reference.
Specifying Program Options. libmysqld. myisamchk and isamchk. myisampack and pack_isam. mysql. mysqlaccess. mysqladmin. mysqlbinlog. mysqlbug. mysqlcheck. mysql_config. mysqld. mysqld_multi. mysqld_safe. mysqldump. mysqlhotcopy. mysqlimport. mysql_install_db. mysql.server. mysqlshow. safe_mysqld.

Appendix F. C API Reference.
Compiling and Linking. C API Data Types. C API Functions.

Appendix G. Perl DBI API Reference.
Writing Scripts. DBI Methods. DBI Utility Functions. DBI Attributes. DBI Environment Variables.

Appendix H. PHP API Reference.
Writing PHP Scripts. Functions.

Appendix I. Internet Service Providers.
Getting Ready to Shop for an ISP. Assessing an ISP—General Considerations. Assessing an ISP—MySQL-Specific Considerations.

Index.