Step 2: Installing the mySQL ODBC Driver 3.51

This is Step 2 of an installation and configuration of the mySQL 5.0 database server on a Windows 2000 Professional machine, then accessing it from dBASE via the BDE. Click here to go to the index.

1. I already had the mySQL ODBC Driver installed on my machine so that I could connect to external databases. I will go through the steps as best I can - the installer may want me to uninstall the existing setup. I may not want to do that as it could possibly break some things that I have already configured. Let's find out!
2. As previously mentioned, I'm using Windows 2000 Professional and Mozilla Firefox web browser. Some steps and/or screen messages may vary slightly if you are using different products.
3. Click on the mySQL logo above, which will open a new browser window and take you to their homepage. On the blue banner bar near the top, click on the 'Community' tab. On the right side of the page, scroll down a little and/or look for:
   

   MySQL Connector/ODBC
       * Beta 5.00.11
       * Generally Available (GA) 3.51.12

   Click on the Generally Available link.
4. On the next page, read all of the interesting and informative stuff. Scroll down to 'Windows Downloads'. Locate the 'Driver Installer (MSI)' line. Click on 'Pick a mirror' to the right of that.
5. You may be taken to a survey screen, in which case you can answer the questions or click on the 'No thanks, just take me to the Downloads!' link.
6. Choose a download site that is close to you if possible. Click on 'HTTP' and then 'Save to Disk'.
7. When the download is complete, double-click on the .msi file to start the installation process.
8. The first screen comes up:
   
   Read the information and click 'Next'.
9. The next screen presents us with some installation options:
   
   I am happy enough with the default typical installation, so I will leave it as is. Click 'Next'.
10. The next screen gives you a chance to take a deep breath before installing:
    
    Click 'Install' to begin the install.
11. A bunch of things happen according to a progress bar and then I get this screen:
    
    Click 'Finish' to complete the mySQL ODBC driver installation BUT WE AIN'T DONE YET.
12. Open the Control Panel, open Administrative Tools and then open 'Data Sources (ODBC)'.
13. Click on the 'System DSN' tab:
    
    You will notice that in my case, I have an existing mySQL ODBC connection (dBFB) that was installed previously with an earlier version. I tested it and it is still working fine so we'll leave it for now.
14. Click on the 'Add...' button to start the ODBC connection process.
15. The next screen allows us to choose which driver we want to use:
    
    Scroll down to the bottom and select the 'mySQL ODBC 3.51 Driver' and then click 'Finish'.
16. And here's the part we've all been waiting for - the mySQL ODBC Connection details screen:
    
    We will now fill in each field so that we can connect to the database server that we installed earlier. A nice feature is that when you place the cursor in a particular field, a helpful message comes up in the right window.
    Data Source Name: Create a meaningful name for this ODBC connection. You will need to know it later when setting up the BDE.
    Description:This is optional but a good idea for future reference.
    Server:We are connecting to the server on this machine, so type in 'localhost' (without the quotes).
    User:For the sake of expediency, we are going to connect with the user named 'root' so type that in. Security note: The root account is all-powerful and can do serious damage. In any sort of real-world application, create restricted users and create connections with them to minimize potential damage. We just want to get a connection up and running, so leave that for later.
    Password:Type in the root password that you created when setting up the database (#15 on the previous page). You did write it down somewhere safe, didn't you?
    Database:This combobox doesn't work until you enter the server above. It is then populated with the names of available databases on that server. After I entered localhost as the server, it gave me choices of 'mysql' and 'test'. If I recall correctly, mysql is the database of all the system tables, user privileges, etc. so we will leave that one alone. Choose the test database.
17. Your completed window will look something like this:
    
    Click on the 'Test' button to see if you've been paying attention.
18. Hopefully, you are rewarded with this message:
    
    Congratulations, you now have an ODBC-capable mySQL database server installed and ready to go!
19. There are additional options available on the other tabs, but they are not required for our simple configuration. Click on the 'Ok' button to close the mySQL configuration, then 'OK' to close the ODBC Manager.

Prev: Step 1: Installing the mySQL 5.0 Database Server
Next: Step 3: Connecting dBASE to mySQL using the BDE

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