MySQL Database Server Installation

This guide is for setting up an MySQL database server under Windows XP/Vista/7. Note that installing MySQL on your own computer is not required as you can use the one on CS3, but you may find it more convenient to have a local database setup, and it also allows you experiment with some database management functionality (e.g. security) that require superuser privilege. 

The software, MySQL Community Server, is freely available for download at MySQL.com. There are two installer packages available: mysql-installer-community and mysql-installer-web-community. mysql-installer-community includes everything, while mysql-installer-web-community will download the components to be installed on demand during installation. Choose the one that you prefer and download and install. During installation, choose the Developer Default Setup Type. After the installation is completed, the MySQL configuration wizard will walk you through the configuration of the database server:

• For configuration type, choose Development Machine.
• Enter a new root password.

You can leave all other options to default.