MySQL Data Files
The installation directory contains database metadata and data files. That is the database schema and corresponding values. Files that appear will vary by datase engine, platform, etc.
MyIsam
- .frm – contains a schema
- .myd – contains data
- .myi – contain indices
InnoDB
- .frm – contains a schema
MySQL Directory Files Location
The data folder path is set in the MySQL configuration file
MySQL configuration file in Windows is my.ini and Linux is my.cnf
Windows:
C:\Program Files\MySQL\MySQL Server 5.2\my.ini
Open my.ini and search for the word “basedir”
basedir – gives the location of MySQL installation
datadir – gives the location of MySQL data directory
#Path to installation directory
basedir="C:/Program Files/MySQL/MySQL Server 5.2/"
#Path to the database root
datadir="C:/Documents and Settings/All Users/Application Data/MySQL/MySQL Server 5.2/Data/"
In that path, there is a separate folder for each database with the name of the database itself. Database files can be used for backup to secure data, schema, and indices in general circumstances, migration and DB upgrades.
