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Install MySQL On Slackware

Install MySQL

Install MySQL from the official Slackware discs or using [slackpkg].

Configure MySQL

1) Create the needed database(s) and set their permissions properly

As root, run:

   mysql_install_db --user=mysql

User specified by –user will own database files, so it's important to set right user here, otherwise MySQL won't be able to write to database. By default MySQL in Slackware runs as user “mysql”, so it's safe choice.

2) Enable execution of rc script to start MySQL automatically on boot

This is optional.

   chmod 755 /etc/rc.d/rc.mysqld
3) Enable networking if needed

Networking is disabled by default to improve security. If you want to allow network connections, comment out this line in /etc/rc.d/rc.mysqld

   #SKIP="--skip-networking"
4) Start mysqld
   /etc/rc.d/rc.mysqld start
Now you have a choice : Manual Install or Automatic
AUTOMATIC
5) 6) 7) Run the following, answer the questions
   /usr/bin/mysql_secure_installation
        Initial root password is "" so, just hit <ENTER>
MANUAL
5) Set a password for MySQL's root password
   mysqladmin -u root password 'new-password-here'

If you enabled networking, you should also run this command:

   mysqladmin -u root -h 'your-hostname' password 'new-password'
Check the mysql_install_db results, these commands are printed, you can copy/paste them. The hostname will already be replaced by yours.
6) Connect to your MySQL server
   mysql -u root -p
7) For security reasons you should delete the anonymous user

For the localhost server:

   mysql> use mysql
   mysql> SELECT user, host FROM user;
   mysql> DELETE FROM user WHERE host='localhost' AND user='';

If you enabled networking, you should run this command instead:

   mysql> use mysql
   mysql> SELECT user, host FROM user;
   mysql> DELETE FROM user WHERE user='';

Troubleshooting

  • Server start errors can be seen in the error log that is located by default at /var/lib/mysql/<hostname>.err. Another option is to run the server directly and direct the output to the console (use CTRL+\ to stop the server). Run:
   /usr/bin/mysqld_safe --console
  • Resetting the root password can be done by creating a new cnf file and add the following lines (please change the password in this example):
   UPDATE mysql.user SET Password=PASSWORD('MyNewPass') WHERE User='root';
   FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

Save this file (any name would do) and start the server with the –init-file argument:

   /usr/bin/mysqld_safe --defaults-file="new_cnf_file.cnf"

Sources

 howtos:databases:install_mysql_on_slackware ()