MySQL/Getting started

Overview
While MySQL can run on many platforms and in many ways. The two most common on the Windows platform are running MySQL on its own, or running MySQL as part of the Windows/Apache/MySQL/PHP (WAMP) web developers system.

How MySQL works
MySQL is created as a Windows Service, and runs as a Windows Process and once it is installed it will run in the background. This means that you will not easily see that it is working. The WAMP Server installation has a little meter that shows when services are running, whereas running a local version you will need to look at the Windows processes (How to do this is shown on the Windows Local installation page).

MySQL installed locally
Instructions for operating MySQL if you have installed MySQL as a stand-a-lone application (e.g. not part of WAMP) are on the Windows Local installation page.

MySQL installed as part of WAMP
Instructions for operating MySQL if you have installed MySQL as part of Windows/Apache/MySQL/PHP (WAMP) are on the MySQL in WAMP page.