MySQL Tutorial - Import or Export A Database

This tutorial section deals with mysqldump which is a tool to import and export MySQL databases. (this is all done via command line , you will need to ssh into your account)

It can be used to back up a database or to move database information from one server to another.

This example shows you how to export a database. It is a good idea to export your data often as a backup.

1. mysqldump -u username -p database_name > FILE.sql
2. Press Enter
3. You will be prompted for a password
4. Type in the password for the username and press Enter.

Replace username, password and database_name with your MySQL username, password and database name.

File FILE.sql now holds a backup of your database, download it to your computer.

Here, we import a database. Use this to restore data from a backup or to import from another MySQL server.

Start by uploading the FILE.sql file to the server where you will be running this command.

1. mysql -u username -p database_name < FILE.sql
2. Press Enter
3. You will be prompted for a password
4. Type in the password for the username and press Enter.

This powerful, easy to use command has many uses. Let's say you wanted to switch web hosting providers.

Simply export your data on the old provider's server and import it on your account with the new host.