Database Reference
In-Depth Information
mark) clicked. The query then runs and the results pane is updated. You can see in the fig-
ure that the status window contains the rows returned for the first and second queries that
were run, and other tabs on this window allow you to return to previous queries and even
EXPLAIN the query as it runs.
We used the MySQLGUI in this topic because its table output was clear and uncluttered.
Although the Control Centre screen presents us with a lot more information, it also has one
hidden function that the GUI did not have. If you click on one of the cells in the results
pane, and the cell contains a single column value, you can edit the contents of the cell. This
allows you to change your data without using INSERT or UPDATE queries, although this is
what the MySQL server does in the background. It is quite common to use a select state-
ment to match a primary key in the Control Centre interface, and then edit some of the
other columns by clicking in the results pane. If the cell to be changed is a large column
type, like a text type, you will get the value appearing in another window to edit.
You will also see why introducing you to this earlier may have stopped you from learn-
ing SQL, as this tool simplifies database access considerably. However, you still need to use
your knowledge of SQL to get the most from this sort of tool. You will also realize that you
still need SQL skills to embed it correctly inside scripting languages.
The MySQL Control Centre is a much superior product to the GUI, which explains why
development of the latter has ceased. The Control Centre is also similar to the Graphical
tools that are provided with Oracle, Microsoft SQL server and others, and really proves that
MySQL has now come of age and can compete with these products.
Figure 16.5
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