How to install and configure MySQL on Ubuntu 18.04?

As a database management system, MySQL is one of the most popular open-source relational database servers in the world. It is widely used in various applications, including web applications, content management systems, and data warehousing, among others. If you're looking to install and configure MySQL on Ubuntu 18.04, this guide will help you do just that.

Install MySQL on Ubuntu 18.04

Before you begin, ensure that your Ubuntu 18.04 system is up to date by running the command

$ sudo apt-get update

Then, install MySQL by running the command

$ sudo apt-get install mysql-server

During installation, you'll be prompted to create a password for the root user. Set a strong password and keep it secure.

Secure MySQL Installation

After installing MySQL, it is essential to secure the installation by running the following command

$ sudo mysql_secure_installation

The command will prompt you to answer a few questions, such as setting a new root password, removing anonymous users, disallowing remote root access, and removing the test database.

Check MySQL Status

To check the status of your MySQL installation, run the following command

$ sudo systemctl status mysql.service

If the installation is running correctly, you should see the status "active (running)".

Configure MySQL

To configure MySQL, open the configuration file using the following command

$ sudo nano /etc/mysql/mysql.conf.d/mysqld.cnf

Then, navigate to the section [mysqld] and add the following line at the bottom of the section

bind-address = 0.0.0.0

This line allows remote connections to the MySQL server. However, it would be best if you considered security implications before doing this.

Save and close the file.

Restart MySQL

After making changes to the configuration file, restart the MySQL service using the following command

$ sudo systemctl restart mysql.service

Create MySQL User and Database

To create a new user and database in MySQL, log in to the MySQL server using the following command

$ sudo mysql -u root -p

You'll be prompted to enter the root password. Once you're logged in, create a new user by running the following command

mysql> CREATE USER 'newuser'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'password';

Replace "newuser" with your desired username and "password" with your desired password.

Next, create a new database by running the following command

mysql> CREATE DATABASE newdatabase;

Finally, grant the new user access to the new database by running the following command

mysql> GRANT ALL ON newdatabase.* TO 'newuser'@'localhost';

Test MySQL

To test the new user and database, log out of MySQL using the following command

mysql> exit

Then, log in to MySQL using the new user and database by running the following command

$ mysql -u newuser -p newdatabase

You'll be prompted to enter the new user's password. Once you're logged in, you can test the connection by running the command

mysql> SELECT USER(), DATABASE();

This command should return the new user's name and the new database's name.

Conclusion

In conclusion, MySQL is a popular open-source database management system that's widely used in various applications. Installing and configuring MySQL on Ubuntu 18.04 is a simple process that involves installing the MySQL package, securing the installation, configuring the MySQL server, creating a new user and database, and testing the MySQL connection. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you'll have a functional MySQL server running on your Ubuntu 18.04 system in no time.

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