Exporting and Importing .sql Files from Command Line with Customization

Exporting and importing .sql files via command line is a convenient way to manage MySQL databases. This capability provides flexibility and support for specific requirements during the export and import process.

MySQLdump for Exporting Data:

To export a database, use the mysqldump command:

mysqldump -u [username] -p [database_name] > [filename].sql

MySQL for Importing Data:

For importing a .sql file, execute the following:

mysql -u [username] -p -h [hostname] [database_name] 
Customizing Export and Import Options
Export Options:

• --no-data: Exports only the table structure, excluding data.
• --foreign-key-checks=0: Disables foreign key checks during the export.

Import Options:

• --replace: Replaces existing data with imported data.
• --ignore-table={table_name}: Skips importing specific tables.
• --check-same-server: Verifies if the database server is the same as the one used for export.

Example Command:

To export the 'blog' database without data and disable foreign key checks:

mysqldump -u vivek -p blog --no-data --foreign-key-checks=0 > blog_structure.sql

To import the 'data.sql' file into the 'blog' database, replace existing data, and ignore the 'users' table:

mysql -u vivek -p blog --replace --ignore-table=users 
By utilizing these options, administrators can tailor the export and import process to meet specific requirements, enhancing the efficiency and flexibility of database management from the command line.