MySQL Client Server-Side Help

Let us understand the MySQL client-server side help −

mysql> help search_string

If an argument is provided to the above ‘help’ command, mysql will use it as a search string to access server-side help from the contents of the MySQL Reference Manual. The proper operation of this command needs that the help tables in the mysql database should be initialized with help topic information.

If there is no match for the search string, then the search operation fails. Let us take an example to understand this −

mysql> help me

Output

Nothing found
Please try to run 'help contents' for a list of all accessible topics

We can use the help contents command to see a list of the help categories. Let us take an example to understand this −

mysql> help contents

Output

You asked for help about help category: "Contents"
For more information, type 'help <item>', where <item> is one of the
following categories:
   Account Management
   Administration
   Data Definition
   Data Manipulation
   Data Types
   Functions
   Functions and Modifiers for Use with GROUP BY
   Geographic Features
   Language Structure
   Plugins
   Storage Engines
   Stored Routines
   Table Maintenance
   Transactions
   Triggers

If the search string matches multiple items, then mysql will show a list of matching topics. Let us take an example to understand this −

mysql > help logs

Output

Many help items for your request exist.
To make a more specific request, please type 'help <item>',
where <item> is one of the following topics:
   SHOW
   SHOW BINARY LOGS
   SHOW ENGINE
   SHOW LOGS