How do I install mysql-client, mysql-server, and libmysqlclient-dev on a Next Generation Rackspace Cloud Server running Debian 7 (Wheezy)?

First things first, there are a lot of MySQL packages available for install. If you want to see a list, run the following command:

aptitude search mysql

In this blog post we'll be installing mysql-client, mysql-server, and libmysqlclient-dev. Each is described as follows:

mysql-client:
MySQL database client (metapackage depending on the latest version)

mysql-server:
MySQL database server (metapackage depending on the latest version)

libmysqlclient-dev:
MySQL database development files

To get started, run the following command:

sudo aptitude install mysql-client

You'll be prompted for your password. Enter it. You'll then be prompted to "ok" the amount of space that will be used after unpacking the archives. Enter "yes" to proceed.

Next, run the following command:

sudo aptitude install mysql-server

Again, you'll get prompted regarding disk space. Enter "yes". Next, you'll be presented with a blue package configuration screen prompting you to enter a password for the root mysql user (twice). Enter something insane. Here's what the package configuration screen will look like:

mysql-server package configuration screen (for setting root user password)

After entering your totally insane root user password the installation process will continue on and then wrap itself up.

Next, if you're interested in prepping your machine for master/slave replication, run the following command:

sudo aptitude install libmysqlclient-dev

Again, you'll get prompted regarding disk space. Enter "yes". Next, you'll be throwing yourself a frickin' party because you're done! Congrats!

In a future post we'll be looking at how to set up MySQL master/slave replication (hence the reason I've added the libmysqlclient-dev section above)! Brace yo self foo!

Lastly, if you came to this page from my "How to install the latest versions of Apache, MySQL, and PHP" post and want to get back, or you're interested in installing Apache and/or PHP as a next step in setting up your server, click here: http://oneqonea.blogspot.com/2013/04/how-do-i-install-latest-versions-of.html