How to Use the Command 'mycli' (with Examples)

mycli is a command line interface designed for interacting with MySQL, MariaDB, and Percona databases. It enhances the user experience by providing features such as auto-completion and syntax highlighting, making it a powerful tool for database administrators and developers alike. The mycli tool improves productivity by reducing the time spent on typing repetitive code and minimizing errors with its intuitive interface.

Use Case 1: Connect to a Database with the Currently Logged-in User

Code:

mycli database_name

Motivation:
This use case is ideal for users who are already authenticated on their system and have necessary permissions to access a database. By not having to provide additional login credentials, this command streamlines the workflow, allowing users to quickly connect to the database of interest, perform queries, modify the structure, or handle data manipulations efficiently during development or routine maintenance.

Explanation:

• mycli: This is the command being invoked to start the CLI tool specifically designed for database interactions.
• database_name: This refers to the name of the database the user wishes to connect to. The simplicity of this command lies in its minimalism, as it automatically leverages the user’s current system session credentials for authentication.

Example Output:
Upon executing the command, the user would be greeted by the mycli interactive prompt, which confirms successful connection to the specified database. It might look something like this:

You are now connected to database "database_name".
mycli> 

Use Case 2: Connect to a Database with the Specified User

Code:

mycli -u user database_name

Motivation:
In scenarios where a user operates under multiple accounts or requires access to a specific database role, it’s crucial to specify the account used for connecting to a database. This command enables a more granular control over permissions and database interactions based on the user credentials provided, ensuring security and integrity during database operations.

Explanation:

• mycli: The command initiates the CLI environment for interacting with databases.
• -u user: This flag specifies the username that’s to be used when authenticating the database connection. It’s particularly essential when the logged-in system user differs from the required database user.
• database_name: Represents the target database that the user wishes to interface with.

Example Output:
After executing this command, one sees a prompt confirming the username and the successful establishment of a database session, represented as follows:

Connected to the database "database_name" as user "user".
mycli> 

Use Case 3: Connect to a Database on the Specified Host with the Specified User

Code:

mycli -u user -h host database_name

Motivation:
This use case is pivotal for users needing access to databases hosted on remote servers or differing host addresses rather than local machines. By providing host specifications, users can establish secure and authenticated sessions across networked environments, enabling remote management and manipulation of database resources.

Explanation:

• mycli: The command begins the process of initiating the CLI session.
• -u user: Indicates the username for the database login. This is integral when database-level access is designated to specific accounts.
• -h host: The hostname flag, specifying where the database server resides. This is vital in environments where databases are hosted across different networks or cloud services.
• database_name: The target database that the session will connect to for operations.

Example Output:
When this command is successfully run, the user will see a confirmation of connection specifying the host and user credentials, which typically appears as:

Connected to database "database_name" on host "host" as user "user".
mycli> 

Conclusion:

The mycli tool is an invaluable asset for database professionals who require efficient and streamlined command line access to MySQL, MariaDB, and Percona databases. Its flexibility to accommodate various user authentication methods and host connections makes it a versatile choice for diverse working environments. By leveraging auto-completion and syntax highlighting, mycli not only enhances user experience but also significantly mitigates the chance of errors, thereby enabling users to undertake complex database tasks with ease and efficiency.