Introduction to MySQL — Complete Guide

Introduction to MySQL — Complete Guide: free step-by-step lesson with examples, common mistakes, and interview tips — part of MySQL Tutorial on Toolliyo Academy.

8 min read Updated 8/21/2026

On this page

MySQL Tutorial · Lesson 2 of 100

MySQL

Basics → Advanced

Basics · 1 — SQL · ~6 min · MySQL — Foundations

What is this?

MySQL is an open-source relational database that stores data in tables with rows and columns. The InnoDB engine (default in MySQL 8+) gives you transactions, foreign keys, and row-level locking. You connect with mysql CLI or MySQL Workbench.

Why should you care?

Indian startups and enterprises often pick MySQL for web apps because it is fast, well-documented, and runs on cheap VPS or managed cloud (RDS, Azure, Cloud SQL).

See it live — copy this example

Run in MySQL Workbench or the mysql CLI.

SELECT VERSION(), @@version_comment, @@default_storage_engine;

What happened?

VERSION() returns your MySQL server version.
version_comment shows build info.
default_storage_engine should be InnoDB on MySQL 8 — that is what DataFlow uses for safe transactions.

Practice next

Open a terminal and run mysql -u root -p.
Paste the VERSION() query and press Enter.
In Workbench, open Server → Status and Variables → compare version.
Run SHOW ENGINES; and find InnoDB support column.
Run SELECT USER(), CURRENT_USER(); to see who you are connected as.

Remember

MySQL stores tabular data with InnoDB by default. CLI and Workbench both talk to the same server. Check version and engine before copying tutorials online.