MySQL Provider (update)

June 2006 update - Since there is a MySQL provider available commercially, I am not working on the MySQL provider at this time.

First, let me warn you that we are AT LEAST 6 months away from having a DotNetNuke MySQL provider. This is just a blog to say that I have started working on it and to show you what I have learned so far (in case you want to follow along :)

Let me say, I am really impressed with MySQL. I was able to install it easily on my Windows XP machine and get it running in about an hour. I am a long time MS SQL user and was very frustrated with trying to use Oracle and Firebird. I realize the problem is that I am spoiled from MS SQL server, but hey I'm busy and I like easy to use tools :)

My goal is to start the MySQL provider then form a group to finish and maintain the development. Since I have never used MySQL before I downloaded it, installed it, and made a sample ASP.NET 2.0 web project that displayed data from a table in a GridView.

Here are my notes so far:

1. Go to http://www.mysql.com/ download and install “Current Release (Recommended)”.
2. Download and install: MySQL Administrator (to Administer your MySQL Server. The first download just installs only the server) 
3. Download and install: Connector/Net 1.0 (you need this to get your ASP.NET pages to talk to your MySQL server)
4. You can also download: MySQL Query Browser – (a graphical client to work with your MySQL databases and run queries) however, I ended up paying $49.95 for MySQL Developer Studio because it was the most inexpensive tool that would allow me to open up a table and add data to it like you would with SQL server. All other tools require you to write an text “Insert SQL" statement. It also includes a graphical SQL query designer for designing your queries.
5. Read and follow this guide: A Step-by-Step Guide To Using MySQL with ASP.NET (to get the sample from A Step-by-Step Guide To Using MySQL with ASP.NET to work I went to “C:\Program Files\MySQL\MySQL Connector Net 1.0.7\bin\.NET 2.0” (installed with Connector/Net 1.0) and copied the “MySql.Data.dll” to the “/bin” directory of my sample asp.net 2.0 project).

Now I have MySQL up and running and it feels as familiar as MS SQL server. Already I am sold on it as a product and I can see how a lot of people will love to run DotNetNuke on it once a provider becomes available.