How can I access the MySQL command line with XAMPP for Windows?

Question

How can I access the MySQL command line with XAMPP for Windows?

Answer 1

To access SQL via the command line we simply navigate to the xampp folder. the folder is usually on the c:\ drive.

1. type: cd c:\xampp\mysql\bin then press enter.
2. type: in mysql -u root -p then press enter.
3. in the new line enter the password of the database.
4. type: show databases; to see all the databases that you have access to.
5. once you know what database you want to use type (ex. cms_database), type use cms_data or any other db_name, it should say Database changed

// Bonus Note you shouldn't use the root user when working with databases. you would want to create a separate account (ex. cms_user) with special privileges to limit errors.

to do that type:

GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES IN cms_database.*
TO 'cms_user'@'localhost' 
IDENTITIED BY 'yourpassword'

double check by using the command:

SHOW GRANT FOR 'cms_user'@localhost;

if you already have the name of the user and the specific database you wish to use, change step 2 to this.

mysql -u cms_user -p cms_database