Chapter 42. The MySQL Server and Server Startup Scripts

Table of Contents

Overview of the Server-Side Scripts and Utilities
mysqld-max, An Extended mysqld Server
mysqld_safe, The Wrapper Around mysqld
mysql.server, A Server Startup Script for Run Directories
mysqld_multi, A Program for Managing Multiple MySQL Servers

Overview of the Server-Side Scripts and Utilities

All MySQL programs take many different options. However, every MySQL program provides a --help option that you can use to get a description of the program's options. For example, try mysqld --help.

You can override default options for all standard programs by specifying options on the command line or in an option file. Program Options.

The following list briefly describes the server-related MySQL programs:

mysqld The SQL daemon (that is, the MySQL server). To use client programs, this program must be running, because clients gain access to databases by connecting the the server.
mysqld_max A version of the server that includes additional features.
mysqld_safe A server startup script. mysqld_safe attempts to start mysqld_max if it exists, and mysqld otherwise.
mysql.server A server startup script. This scripts is used on systems that use run directories containing scripts that start system services for particular run levels.
mysqld_multi A server startup script that can start or stop multiple servers installed on the system.
mysql_install_db This script creates the MySQL grant tables with default privileges. It is usually executed only once, when first installing MySQL on a system.
mysql_fix_privilege_tables This script is used after an upgrade install operation, to update the grant tables with any changes that were made in newer versions of MySQL since the previous install operation.

There are several other programs that also are run on the server host:

myisamchk Utility to describe, check, optimize, and repair MySQL tables. Because myisamchk has many functions, it is described in its own chapter. See MySQL Database Administration.
make_binary_distribution Makes a binary release of a compiled MySQL. This could be sent by FTP to /pub/mysql/Incoming on support.mysql.com for the convenience of other MySQL users.
mysqlbug The MySQL bug report script. This script can be be used to send a bug report to the MySQL list. (You can also visit http://bugs.mysql.com/ to file a bug report online.)