MySQL Jumpstart

[John Kebbel]

I chose to install MySQL when I installed YDL 3.0 from the CDs, but I
couldn't seem to get it running. At first, I didn't think I had
installed it, but when I checked the install log, there were two lines
that read ... 

Installing mysql-3.23.54a-4.
Installing mysql-server-3.23.54a-4.

I'm familiar with using MySQL commands (1) through a web page interface
on the web server for my business and via (2) CGIs using the PERL DBI,
but I've never actually had MySQL running from a command line on my own
machine before. I'm not sure how to get it started or what it will look
like when it's running. I get this message when I try mysql as a
command...

[kebbelj@localhost kebbelj]$ mysql
ERROR 2002: Can't connect to local MySQL server through socket
'/var/lib/mysql/mysql.sock' (111)

When I try safe_mysqld, I get ...

[kebbelj@localhost kebbelj]$ sudo safe_mysqld
Starting mysqld daemon with databases from /var/lib/mysql
031028 17:27:47  mysqld ended

I would greatly appreciate a jump start from someone on MySQL.