# MySQL

[MySQL](https://www.mysql.com/) can either be used as a data source or
a data destination in Zuar Runner.

.. image:: assets/mysql-1.png
   :alt: Zuar Runner and MySQL

Source plugin example: [Query](/jobs/query/)

Destination plugin examples: [CSV](/jobs/csv/),
[Salesforce](/connectors/salesforce/),
[SQL](/jobs/sql/)

## MySQL as a Data Destination

- Zuar Runner automatically creates the MySQL database if it doesn't exist
- Zuar Runner automatically creates the MySQL database tables if they don't exist
- Zuar Runner automatically determines data types for MySQL columns
- Zuar Runner automatically adds new columns to MySQL tables based on new fields in source systems 

## MySQL Specific Setup

Below is the [database url](/databases/database-urls/)
structure for connecting to a MySQL database:

`mysql+pymysql://<username>:<password>@<hostname>/<database>`

Here's an example of using a MySQL database as a destination in a
[CSV](/jobs/csv/) job:

.. image:: assets/mysql__output.png
   :alt: CSV job with MySQL

.. NOTE::

   Unlike databases like `PostgreSQL </databases/postgresql.html>`__ , MySQL
   doesn't have the concept of **schemas**.

When using MySQL as an input or output database, you have two options:

1. Leave "**Schema**" blank and append the database name to the end of
   the database URL.

   ```json
       "output": {
	   "dbo": "mysql+pymsql://{user}:{password}@{host}:{port}/{database}",
	   "tablename": "{tablename}",
	   ...
       }
   ```

2. Put the database name in the "schema" section and remove it from
   the end of the database URL.

   ```json
       "output": {
	   "dbo": "mysql+pymsql://{user}:{password}@{host}:{port}/",
	   "schema": "{database}",
	   "tablename": "{tablename}",
	   ...
       }
   ```

## SQL

Zuar Runner can send [SQL](/jobs/sql/) statements to a MySQL
database. Use MySQL syntax in these Zuar Runner SQL jobs.