December 16, 2003

1:55 PM

I'm new to Mac OS X's command line and a little nervous about using it to install Mysql. After doing some research on the net I found what might be an alternative: installing Apache2, PHP4 and Mysql from Server Logistics . The post claims that by also installing one of the Barebones text editors and Tinkertool I could avoid having to use the command line altogether. It was also suggested that the Server Logistics Complete Packages are more powerful versions of Apache and Php than apple ships (I'm on Panther). Has anyone done an install this way? Any other suggestions? Should I just get over it and use the damn command line?
posted by btwillig to (13 comments total)

I recommend the MySQL OS X package installer, found on the official download page. I wouldn't recommend upgrading Apache or PHP since Apple's updates sometimes write over parts of these. If you really feel the need for newer versions (and I think Panther's are fairly recent), install copies somewhere other than their default locations.
posted by hyperizer at 2:22 PM on December 16, 2003

I followed these instructions from MacServers when I installed MySQL. These instructions also include instructions on Apache and PHP.

Echoing hyperizer, future upgrades to OS X may cause apache settings to be overwritten, but as long as you are aware of it you can save off your config files and restore the important bits as needed.
posted by jazon at 2:27 PM on December 16, 2003

I too am [re]learning the command line. I would suggest using it, because most of your more important and "powerful" command are best used by the command line. And if you are going to be doing any programming'n'such, the command line if for you.
posted by plemeljr at 3:04 PM on December 16, 2003

Thanks for the help. I'm looking into your suggestions.
posted by btwillig at 3:34 PM on December 16, 2003

I vote for you to get over it -- you're system administrator of a powerful system (OSX) and you should at the very least learn what the motions are like, if not the meaning and nuance of every kung fu move.

It's not that hard anyways, it's just typing.
posted by majick at 4:07 PM on December 16, 2003

I agree with those above who suggest that getting familiar with the command line is a worthwhile pursuit. However if you haven't the time and want to get MySQL, Apache and PHP working asap I suggest checking out Mark Liyanage's packages on his Mac OS X software page. There's a minimal amount of typing that needs to be done in terminal (at least for mysql) and it might whet your appetite to learn more about doing things on the command line.
posted by lpqboy at 4:40 PM on December 16, 2003

I knew a (dangerously) small amount about Unix before OS X shipped. I found an O'Reilly's Learning Unix for Mac OS X to be enormously beneficial. Well written, easily understood.
posted by JollyWanker at 6:43 PM on December 16, 2003

Apache Web-Serving with Mac OS X is mighty helpful as an introduction. Kevin covers installing mySQL and PHP, even compiling from source (though also from packages if available).

While this was written during the days of Jaguar, I currently run a fully functional Panther server with this info an my intro.
posted by tenseone at 7:00 PM on December 16, 2003

as my intro...

I should mention that Kevin's easy-going attitude toward the Terminal really aided me in my confidence with *nix commands. I also recommend reading all the comments following each segment of the tutorial(s) for even more gems of instruction.
posted by tenseone at 7:06 PM on December 16, 2003

The Soothingly Seamless guide to *compiling* the stuff all together is sortof a classic now. I'd recommend leaving out the SSL stuff the first few times you do it, but I've found everything else worked well.
posted by weston at 7:24 PM on December 16, 2003

I've actually been going through the O'Reilly's book for the last few days and it is very good. I'll wait until I've finished the book before I attempt the mysql install, just so I have some idea of what it is I'm typing. After reading the links above , I'm much more comfortable with the idea of doing the install through the Terminal, be it from source or a package.

Thanks again. AskMefi rules.
posted by btwillig at 8:54 AM on December 17, 2003

I think this explains why Mysql breaks on me all the time in OS X.
posted by mecran01 at 9:31 AM on December 17, 2003

I use that Server Logistics Mysql installer and I really like it. It adds a MySQL module to System Preferences that lets you start & stop mysql with a click. I use CocoaMySQL instead of the command line and I really like it too.
posted by putzface_dickman at 11:38 AM on December 17, 2003