Determining the Location of ".my.cnf" for MySQL Client in XAMPP (Windows)

In XAMPP for Windows, the MySQL client's ".my.cnf" file, which is used to configure client-specific settings, is not created by default. However, you can create this file to enhance the functionality of your client.

File Placement for Automatic Reading

To ensure that the command line client automatically reads the ".my.cnf" file, place it in the following location:

C:\xampp\mysql\bin\

This path is typically defined in the MySQL client's configuration, ensuring that the client will find and load the file during initialization.

Manual Configuration

If you prefer to place the ".my.cnf" file in a different location, you will need to manually specify its location using the --defaults-file option when invoking the client. For example:

mysql --defaults-file=C:\custom\path\my.cnf

Verifying Configuration

To verify the location from which the client is reading its configuration, execute the following command:

mysql --help

Look for the section titled Default options are read from the following files in the given order: to identify the paths where the ".my.cnf" file is being searched.

Note that the specific paths may vary depending on your XAMPP version and system configuration.