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Your PHP installation appears to be missing the MySQL extension which is required by WordPress.

I recently deployed a new WordPress installation to my existing production webserver running Apache, MySQL and PHP for other websites, yet I was presented with the following message. “Your PHP installation appears to be missing the MySQL extension which is required by WordPress.

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Part 2 – Simple lessons in improving scalability

Given the popular response from my first lesson in improving scalability where I detailed simple ways to eliminate unnecessary SQL, let me share another common bottleneck with MySQL scalability that can be instantly overcome.

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Optimizing UPDATE and DELETE statements

Updated Nov 2011. Check out my latest book on Optimizing SQL Statements for more information. MySQL 5.6.2 also now provides an EXPLAIN syntax for UPDATE and DELETE statements natively. While most people look at performance optimizations for SELECT statements, UPDATE and DELETE statements are often overlooked.

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Simple lessons in improving scalability

It can be very easy to improve scalability with a MySQL server by a few simple rules. Here is one of them. “The most efficient way to improve an SQL statement is to eliminate it”

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MySQL 5.5.9

You blink and there is a new version. I have not seen an Planet MySQL release as yet about this new version. Release Notes . I’d like to say I installed it, but I downloaded the Linux – Generic 2.

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Leveraging the InnoDB Plugin

Beginning with MySQL 5.1 as an additional plugin and included by default in MySQL 5.5 the InnoDB plugin includes many performance improvements. To leverage the support of new file formats however a very important setting is necessary.

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Interesting MySQL 5.5 upgrade gotcha

Today I discovered an interesting upgrade problem with a client migrating from MySQL 5.0 to 5.5. The client who is undertaking the upgrade reported that MySQL 5.5 did not support the DECIMAL(18,5) data type.

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Higher Availability (HA) starts with two database servers

Many early startups that use a single server for all services or a single database server for their website talk about how they would like to achieve higher availability with MySQL.

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Do you use PHPMyAdmin?

If so then were is it installed on your publicly accessible website. If the location is where the documentation states not to put it, or in other popular locations then you can easily become open to an attack.

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Microsoft’s position on MySQL

While Oracle provides no official information they are planning on improving MySQL and using as a product to compete with Microsoft SQL Server, it is rather obvious from what little information you can glean from public announcements this is a clear business goal.

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All time top MySQL Blogger

Planet MySQL contains the aggregation of MySQL articles from over 500 individuals and countries. In the MySQL Community Blogging article, Ronald Bradford was recognized as the all-time top individual MySQL blogger at Planet MySQL.

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Welcome new Oracle ACE’s

I am pleased to announce that the Oracle ACE program has two new MySQL inductees. These people actively contribute to the MySQL community via a varied means in an unbiased and non commercial way.

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Changes in using Profiling in MySQL 5.5

In the past I’ve used the profiling features (e.g. SHOW PROFILES) in MySQL to help with timing SQL statements, especially those in the < 10 millisecond range. Out of habit I did use this to time all SQL statements however in MySQL 5.

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Eyes Only for Recruiters

Dear Recruiters. **I am always open to hearing about exceptional opportunities that will be a challenging role with hard problems to solve and a great team to work with. **

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