There are multiple sections in MySQL configuration file:
- [mysql]
- [mysqld]
- [myisamchk]
- [mysqld_safe]
- [mysqlhotcopy]
- [mysqldump]
- [client]
I found that same variables with different values have been defined under these sections.
- What are the specific purpose behind defining these sections?
- Is it necessary to define all?
- How MySQL interprets these variables?
Best Answer
MySQL calls these section "Groups". The [mysqld] group contains the variables apply to the MySQL Server (the mysqld process). The [mysql] group contains the variables for the client program (mysql).
The [client] option group is read by all client programs (but not by mysqld), so "mysql", "mysqldump" etc...
None of these groups are mandatory but usually we set at least the [mysqld] because it's where we configure the server.
About how MySQL interprets these variables, MySQL Documentation says:
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