This shows how to install and configure MySQL server on a Linux server. It includes setting up users andprivileges, moving databases between servers, and imposing UTF-8 across the board.

Install MySQL and PHP5 support

sudo aptitude update
sudo aptitude install mysql-server
sudo aptitude install php5-mysql

Secure MySQL and Login

Choose yes for all questions, except to change the root password.

sudo mysql_secure_installation
mysql -u root -p

If necessary, add the mysql path (/usr/local/mysql/bin) to the profile and refresh.

cd
vi  ~/.profile
. ./.profile
echo $PATH

Create a database

Change the root password, create database and users, give privileges.

mysqladmin -u root password [newpassword]
mysql -u root -p [password]
create database mytest;
create user 'username' identified by 'password';
grant all privileges on *.* to username@localhost;
flush privileges;
exit

Export a Database

Switch to the superuser to avoid any permissions issues.

sudo su -
mysqldump -u [user] -p [database] > [filename].sql

Import a Database

For smaller files, import from the unix shell.

mysql -u [user] -p [database] < [filename].sql

For larger files, use the source command inside mysql.

mysql -u [user] -p
use [database]
source < [file].sql

Set Charset

We want end-to-end UTF8.

ALTER DATABASE DEFAULT CHARACTER SET utf8;
ALTER TABLE [exampletable] DEFAULT CHARACTER SET utf8;