How to manage databases/SQL in Mac?

What programs are the standard in managing databases on Macs? I heard about people using MySQL but am not sure how to use it on Mac/PC.

Any insight please?

 

Every database has its own set of tools, no matter if you are on a Mac or a pc. Besides the administrative tools that come out of the box with the database, you can also download free or commercial additional tools.

For example, Oracle has a web based tool that comes and installs with the database called Enterprise Manager (besides the command line tools), but also offers the SQL Developer which you can download free. There are also commercial tools like Toad and navicat.

For MySQL, by installing it you'll be able to perform managing tasks by command line. But there are also free great tools like phpmyadmin and MySQL workbench. And you'll find even more if you search for it.

 

Currently I am taking a database class and was told MySQL makes it easier to run SQL commands so I thought I would try that. How do I install this? Is it easier than just using Access to run SQL commands?

 

Access (assuming you mean MS Office Access) uses MS-SQL, iirc.

MySQL is a server package you can install on most computers, it has a basic interface. There is a manager application called phpmyadmin, but that requires, in addition, a webserver with PHP extensions installed.

 

MySQL can be downloaded from here: http://dev.mysql.com/downloads/mysql/

Installation instructions are available from here: http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.5/en/macosx-installation.html

For a GUI download MySQL Workbench from here: http://www.mysql.com/downloads/workbench/

 

Hmm it seems more complicated than I think. Maybe once I master SQL the old fashioned way through Access, I will look at this.

Thank you for the links!

 

If you're just learning generic SQL you can use the OS X command prompt to access SQLite. I'm on a PC right now so I can't double check this but you should simply be able to type in sqlite3 into the command line and it'll enter interactive mode. SQLite is a self contained file based SQL implementation so you don't have to worry about installing an actual SQL server. You can create/delete/modify/use/etc tables directly from interactive mode.


In case it isn't installed by default:
http://www.sqlite.org/download.html

 

Hahahaha. Trust me that Access is anything but the old fashioned way.

Yeap, SQLite is installed by default. On Mac OS X 10.7.2 is version 3.7.5.

 

Great! Thanks for the links. Well if Access isn't old fashioned thats even better! It is a pain to use though..

 

Even easier

Get MAMP, it's a very easy way to set up a local server running MySql

http://www.mamp.info/en/index.html

And sequel pro from http://www.sequelpro.com/ as the interface.

Really there's nothing easier to get started

 

I use RazorSQL, which can interact with mysql, oracle, simpledb, sybase, etc. and comes with its own built-in db.