Direct database access over SSH.
CONNECTING
Use the mysql client with your database username and the -p flag to prompt for the password. The host is localhost.
Remember the cPanel prefix: database and user names both carry your cPanel username followed by an underscore.
USEFUL COMMANDS ONCE CONNECTED
Show databases you can access Select a database to work in Show tables Describe a table's structure Run queries
Exit with quit.
WHY USE IT
Faster than phpMyAdmin for a quick query Works when phpMyAdmin times out on a large table Scriptable, which phpMyAdmin is not Necessary for large imports and exports
CAUTION
There is no undo. A DELETE or UPDATE without a WHERE clause affects every row.
Run a SELECT with the same WHERE clause first and check the row count before running the destructive version.
Take a backup before anything substantial.
FOR EXPLORATION
phpMyAdmin is more comfortable for browsing. The command line is better for anything repeated or large.
