ERROR 2002 (HY000): Can't connect to local MySQL server through socket '/tmp/mysql.sock'

Question

I installed MySQL on Mac OS X Mountain Lion with homebrew install mysql, but when I tried mysql -u root I got the following error:

Answer 1

Below I'm including the latest instructions from brew install mysql so newer searches for this issue can benefit:

$ brew install mysql
==> Downloading https://homebrew.bintray.com/bottles/mysql-5.6.26.yosemite.bottle.1.tar.gz
######################################################################## 100.0%
==> Pouring mysql-5.6.26.yosemite.bottle.1.tar.gz

To connect:
    mysql -uroot

To have launchd start mysql at login:
  ln -sfv /usr/local/opt/mysql/*.plist ~/Library/LaunchAgents
Then to load mysql now:
  launchctl load ~/Library/LaunchAgents/homebrew.mxcl.mysql.plist
Or, if you don't want/need launchctl, you can just run:
  mysql.server start

In my case I loaded mysql now via launchctl load ~/Library/LaunchAgents/homebrew.mxcl.mysql.plist and was then able to launch $ mysql and be on my way.

I hope this helps recent troubleshooters!