Install MySQL — SQL Technical Interview Questions & Answers

Install MySQL

Install MySQL

  • Install means: get the MySQL server on your laptop so mysqld runs in the background. On Windows, MySQL Installer or XAMPP/WAMP is common in college. On Ubuntu: apt install mysql-server. Then open a terminal and type mysql -u root -p.
  • You need two things: the server (stores data) and a client (you type SQL). Workbench is a GUI client. mysql is the command-line client. Installing only Workbench without a server gives ‘cannot connect’.
  • After install, set a root password you will remember. Create a practice user for college work — don’t use root from PHP. Check: mysql --version and SELECT VERSION();
  • Trap: installing MySQL 8 then using an old PHP mysql_ extension (removed). Use mysqli or PDO. Another trap: port 3306 already used by another MySQL / MariaDB — the second one won’t start.
  • On the example next to this theory: Install MySQL: create two demo rows, then SELECT qty >= 2 ordered. Say which labels come back.

Technical Interview Tip: Server + client. mysql -u root -p. SELECT VERSION();

Code Examples for Install MySQL

Install MySQL — sample query

-- Install MySQL
CREATE TABLE demo (
  id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY,
  label TEXT NOT NULL,
  qty INTEGER DEFAULT 0
);
INSERT INTO demo (id, label, qty) VALUES
  (1, 'alpha', 2),
  (2, 'beta', 5);
SELECT label, qty FROM demo WHERE qty >= 2 ORDER BY qty DESC;

Install MySQL: create two demo rows, then SELECT qty >= 2 ordered. Say which labels come back.

How to Explain Install MySQL to an Interviewer

How do you know MySQL is installed?

mysql --version mysql -u root -p then SELECT VERSION();

Workbench vs server?

Workbench is a client mysqld is the server that stores data