Database Management

This page explains how to manage MySQL and MariaDB databases on your Linux server — via the command line, phpMyAdmin, Plesk or cPanel. It lists the most important SQL commands and links to step-by-step guides such as resetting the root password.

MySQL & MariaDB — The Basics

MySQL and MariaDB are the most widely used relational database systems for web servers. MariaDB is a largely compatible fork of MySQL and is the default database on Debian and many other Linux distributions. Most commands and concepts are identical between both systems.

Command Line Access

The most direct method — connect via SSH and use the mysql client for full control over your databases.

phpMyAdmin Access

A web-based interface for database management — ideal for users who prefer not to work with SQL directly.

Plesk / cPanel Access

If you use a control panel, both Plesk and cPanel offer integrated database management tools.

Useful Commands at a Glance

The most common MySQL administration tasks can be handled with just a few commands:

Task	Command
Log in as root	mysql -u root -p
List all databases	SHOW DATABASES;
Create a database	CREATE DATABASE mydatabase;
Create a user	CREATE USER 'user'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'password';
Grant permissions	GRANT ALL ON db.* TO 'user'@'localhost';
Export database (backup)	mysqldump -u root -p dbname > backup.sql
Import database	mysql -u root -p dbname < backup.sql

Available Guides

Detailed step-by-step guides for common database tasks:

Change MySQL Root Password

Recovery procedure for when you have lost or forgotten the root password for your MySQL server.

View Guide →

Regular backups are essential. Back up your databases regularly using mysqldump or a dedicated backup tool like Acronis. A database failure without a recent backup can result in complete data loss.

Further Documentation

For advanced database administration, refer to the official documentation for each system.

MySQL Documentation

MariaDB Documentation