21.5.4.1. Installing MySQL Connector/C from a Binary Distribution

Installers in native package formats are available for many Unix and Unix-like systems, and for Windows. Alternatively, you can install using a distribution in a more generic format such as a Zip archive or compressed tar file.

You may need to have root or administrator privileges to perform the installation operation.

Installing MySQL Connector/C on Unix Using Compressed tar Files

On Unix and Unix-like systems, a generic MySQL Connector/C binary distribution is packaged as a compressed tar file, denoted here as PACKAGE.tar.gz. To install a distribution file, unpack it in the intended installation directory using this command:

shell> tar zxvf PACKAGE.tar.gz

Installing MySQL Connector/C on Microsoft Windows

Windows users can choose between two binary packaging formats:

Windows MSI Installer (.msi file): To use the MSI Installer, launch it and follow the prompts in the screens it presents to install MySQL Connector/C in the location of your choosing.
Zip archive without installer (.zip file): To use a Zip archive, unpack it in the intended installation directory using WinZip or another tool that can read .zip files.

Installing MySQL Connector/C on Mac OS X Using DMG Packages

A Mac OS X native package installer is provided as a DMG (disk image) file. To install a DMG package, double-click the image file, then follow the prompts.

By default, the DMG package installs MySQL Connector/C under /usr/local, into a dedicated directory that does not conflict with the one used by MySQL Server DMG packages.

Installing MySQL Connector/C on Linux Using RPM Packages

There are two Linux RPM packages for MySQL Connector/C. Install one or both, depending on the capabilities you require:

The shared RPM contains the shared client library. Install this RPM if you intend to compile or run C API applications that depend on the shared client library.
The devel RPM contains the header files and the static client library. Install this RPM if you intend to compile C API applications.

RPM packages for MySQL Connector/C do not include the perror or my_print_defaults utilities.

A Linux RPM package is provided as a file with an .rpm suffix, denoted here as PACKAGE.rpm. To install a given RPM package, use this command:

shell> rpm -i PACKAGE.rpm

RPM provides a feature to verify the integrity and authenticity of packages before installing them. To learn more about this feature, see Section 2.1.4, "Verifying Package Integrity Using MD5 Checksums or GnuPG".

Installing MySQL Connector/C on Solaris Using PKG Packages

A Solaris PKG package is provided as a file with a .pkg.gz suffix, denoted here as PACKAGE.pkg.gz. To install a PKG package, uncompress it:

shell> gunzip PACKAGE.pkg.gz

Uncompressing PACKAGE.pkg.gz produces PACKAGE.pkg. Then use pkgadd and follow the onscreen prompts:

shell> pkgadd -d PACKAGE.pkg

By default, the PKG package installs MySQL Connector/C under the root path /opt/mysql, into a dedicated directory that does not conflict with the one used by MySQL Server PKG packages. You can change only the installation root path using pkgadd, which can be used to install MySQL in a different Solaris zone. If you need to install in a specific directory, use a binary tar file distribution.