How can I change MariaDB to MySQL in XAMPP?

Changing MariaDB to MySQL in XAMPP does require certain steps and precautions. I will provide a detailed explanation of the entire process.

Step 1: Backup Data

Before making any changes, it is essential to back up all databases. This can be done via phpMyAdmin or using the command-line tool mysqldump. For example:

bash
mysqldump -u root -p --all-databases > all_databases.sql

Step 2: Uninstall MariaDB

1. Stop XAMPP Services: First, stop all running XAMPP services, particularly Apache and MariaDB.
2. Uninstall MariaDB: In the XAMPP control panel, there is typically no direct option to uninstall individual components, so this step may require manually deleting the MariaDB folder. This is usually located in the mysql folder under the XAMPP installation directory.

Step 3: Install MySQL

1. Download MySQL: Download the MySQL version suitable for your operating system from the MySQL official website.
2. Install MySQL: Follow the instructions provided in the downloaded file for installation. During installation, choose the same installation path or integrated path as XAMPP, which is typically the root directory of XAMPP.
3. Configure MySQL: Ensure that MySQL configuration is compatible with XAMPP, for example, setting the port number to 3306.

Step 4: Restore Data

Restore data using the previously exported SQL file. This can be done via the command line:

bash
mysql -u root -p < all_databases.sql

Step 5: Modify Configuration

Modify the XAMPP configuration files to ensure all paths and port numbers, etc., point to the newly installed MySQL. This step primarily involves the php.ini and possibly the config.inc.php files.

Step 6: Restart XAMPP

Restart the XAMPP services to check if MySQL has been correctly integrated. This can be verified by accessing phpMyAdmin to confirm that the database is functioning properly.

Example

For example, I once helped a company migrate their development environment from MariaDB to MySQL. The main challenge was ensuring that all existing applications and scripts could run seamlessly in the new database environment. Through step-by-step verification and small-scale testing, we successfully completed the migration without affecting the company's daily operations.