Useful MySQL tools and text editors for newbies and pros.

[ElLeonBlanco]

Hi All:

 

I don't have any stupid or unusual questions this time. Believe that?

 

What I am offering is some simple suggestions for the MySQL challenged and the seasoned pro alike. I am not the greatest with MySQL either. However with the use of these tools you can certainly be more productive and far less confused. Also get back to the more fun part of designing your sites.

 

1: There is a sweet tool from www.mysql.com that I run on all my Linux based db servers. It is called MySQLcc. Very easy to install the binary even for rookie linux users. I have found that the instructions are more confusing than need be though. Here is what I find makes it simple for beginners. Make a directory under /usr/local/ called mysqlcc. Then extract the contents of the zip folder there. You will find a folder with a long name that includes the version number. Open it, select all, cut files, go up 1 directory to mysqlcc, and paste. Then enter directory mysqlcc and delete the folder with name an version number. you may also delete the original zip file at this time. To start the interface open a terminal window and path to directory /usr/local/mysqlcc hit return. Then simply type ./mysqlcc and viola you now have full graphical control of your database server, user and host administration, and just about anything else you could desire. :lol: Note: The above instructions work on RedHat 9 running MySQL 3.23 or 4.0. I have had problems with the version for glib 2.3 crashing but the glibc 2.2 version works very well.

 

2. MySQL Front 2.5 which sadly to say is no longer in development but can be downloaded here: http://mysqlfront.sstienemann.de/. This sets up easily and works well on WinXP Pro and Win 2000. Is very similar in appearance and functionality to MySQLcc. As it comes packed as a setup.exe I won't go into lengthy instructions on installation. However it is very stable and like MySQLcc it allows you to select a DB, load an sql file, then press execute an in just a few seconds your new tables are installed with all permissions set and ready to use. This program has many usefull features and if you are a Windows user you should really check it out.

 

3. This is a program that I have just recently started using. So far it is the "cat's ass" so to speak. It is from FabForce www.fabforce.net and is called DB Designer 4. What a useful tool! Gives you a graphical layout of all the tables in the db and their inter-relational connections. For lack of me generating an adequate description i snagged this text from their website:

DBDesigner 4 is a visual database design system that integrates database design, modeling, creation and maintenance into a single, seamless environment.

It combines professional features and a clear and simple user interface to offer the most efficient way to handle your databases.

DBDesigner 4 compares to products like Oracle's Designer?, IBM's Rational Rose?, Computer Associates's ERwin? and theKompany's DataArchitect? but is an Open Source Project available for Microsoft Windows? 2k/XP and Linux KDE/Gnome. It is released under the GPL.

 

AND THE MOST IMPORTANT LINE:

DBDesigner 4 is developed and optimized for the open source MySQL-Database.

 

4. WynSyntax download it, install it, and NEVER use notepad or wordpad again. That is all I can say about this one. Has a built in file manager, a built in PHP parser, numbers you lines, and colorizes your code.

 

5. ExamDiff Pro, Suddenly you made an edit and everything quits working. Or changed something and a strange bug starts appearing. This could save your sanity as well as you job. Load the problematic file in one pane and the last good working file in the other. What could be easier? Identifies and colorcodes the textual differences between the two. My comment: Handy as H....!

 

So if you are feeling lost in the land of having to learn PHP, MySQL, ASP, and a host of other idioms that are changing so rapidly that it is nearly impossible to keep up with. Just maybe some of the above tools can help save your day and get you home on time to keep the family happy. :D