What is the procedure to load an SQL file through the command line in MySQL?

Data and Databases
1

I have a .sql file generated from phpMyAdmin that I need to load onto a different server using the command line. Currently, I am using a Windows Server 2008 R2 setup and have saved the .sql file on the C drive. However, when I attempted to use the following command:

database_name < file.sql

I encountered syntax errors and it didn’t work as expected.

  • How can I successfully import this SQL file?
  • Is it necessary to create a database beforehand?
2

Try using mysqlimport command if you have access to your database on the server. It’s mostly used for importing data from text files, but it could serve in unique cases like yours. Syntax differs slightly, so double-check if your usage fits. Cleary back up before attempting just in case.

3

Have u explored using the source command? I’m curious if it’s a good alternative. You just login into mysql console and type SOURCE path_to_your_file.sql. Does it offer any advantages when comparing with other methods, I wonder? Anyone else tried this way?

4

To successfully load your SQL file using the command line on Windows, ensure you are utilizing the MySQL client. First, open the Command Prompt and navigate to the directory where MySQL is installed. Use the command mysql -u your_username -p your_database_name < C:\path\to\your\file.sql. Replace your_username with your MySQL username, your_database_name with the name of your database, and the path to your file. Before using this command, confirm the target database exists, as the process does not create it automatically.

5

Hey! have you considered checking the SQL files for any special characters or syntax issues that might be causing an error? :thinking: Sometimes, these characters lead to unexpected syntax errors. Also, when importing, does the encoding match the database’s encoding? Curious if anyone faced encoding issues before!

6

Based on my experience, ensuring that your system PATH includes the MySQL bin directory can solve several command line issues. This way, commands like mysql can be recognized without navigating to the MySQL directory each time, making execution smoother. Another important aspect is to ensure that any firewall settings permit the connection if your SQL server is remote. Sometimes overlooked, firewall configurations can silently prevent access, leading to failed import attempts. Always double-check these settings for seamless database interaction.