"mysql" supports only one optional command line argument, "database". But "mysql" allows the operating system to redirect input and output streams at the command line level. Here are some good examples:

► "mysql databaseName" - Starts "mysql" in interactive mode and use the specified database.

► "mysql < fileName" - Starts "mysql" in batch mode and executes all commands in the specified file.

► "mysql < fileName > fileName" - Starts "mysql" in batch mode, executes all commands in the specified file, and write output to the specified file.

Here is a tutorial exercise of how to use the command line argument to specify the database to use:

>cd mysqlin

>mysql -u root test

Welcome to the MySQL monitor. Commands end with ; or g.

Your MySQL connection id is 4 to server version: 5.0.24

mysql> show tables;

+----------------+

| Tables_in_test |

+----------------+

| links  |

+----------------+

1 row in set (0.00 sec)

mysql> quit;

Bye