mysql -? List of all options and variables' values. mysql client commands: (not SQL statements, so don't need semicolon) Up and Down arrow keys have command history. HOME and END go to beginning and end of line. You do not have to be at end of line to hit Enter. ESC clears line. Tab-completion of tables and fields in Unix. Mac? (case-sensitive?) ; tells mysql the query is complete: multiple lines per query and multiple queries per line. ; is not part of SQL help list of mysql client commands OR ? prompt (\u@\h) [\d]>\_ source sql_batchfilename # \. quits at first error status #of mysql client program \G instead of ; displays results vertically \c clear command ^C (ctrl c) terminates mysql. How to stop long output? \q quit mysql OR quit OR exit ? SQLstatement/function brief syntax help. Major fails in MS Windows: pager more Not in Windoze version :( rehash Rebuild completion hash. Tab-completion not available in Windoze. :( Unix: alias mysql='mysql --pager=more --prompt="[\d]> "' alias mysql='mysql -h 192.168.12.79 -u cmis320 -p' LOAD DATA LOCAL INFILE 'filename' INTO TABLE t1 FIELDS TERMINATED BY ' ' #default is tab \t LINES TERMINATED BY '\r\n' #default is newline \n