Question 1

What does mysql do?

Accepted Answer

MySQL client Client for MySQL/MariaDB. See the flags and examples below, and run `man mysql` for the full reference.

Question 2

Is mysql dangerous?

Accepted Answer

HIGH risk. Queries run immediately; autocommit is on by default. Use --safe-updates (or --i-am-a-dummy) on production. Run `SELECT @@hostname, DATABASE();` to confirm the target. Wrap changes in START TRANSACTION … COMMIT/ROLLBACK. No password on the command line (visible in ps).

Question 3

How can I use mysql more safely?

Accepted Answer

mysql --safe-updates … — Block unscoped updates/deletes mysqldump --single-transaction <db> > backup.sql — Back up first

Flag	Meaning
`-u`	User
`-h`	Host
`-p`	Prompt for password (avoid -pPASSWORD)
`-e`	Execute a statement
`--safe-updates` `--safe-updates`	Refuse UPDATE/DELETE without WHERE or LIMIT