MySQL in app (preview)

The feature enables running MySql within the site itself. One does not need to provision database explicitly and the data is always backed up along with the site contents. The key benefit is ease of use/setup and network performance (MySql running close with the site). The limitation is it does not support multiple instances and slots.

Scenarios

Any sites using MySql as database namely WordPress, Joomla, etc.

Enable/disable feature

To enable the feature, simply add appSettings WEBSITE_MYSQL_ENABLED = 1. That's it and MySql will be started and shutdown along with your site.

To simply verify if MySql is actually accessible by the site, create the following file d:\home\site\wwwroot\phpmysql.php with below content and browse to http://<sitename>.azurewebsites.net/phpmysql.php.

<?php
$servername = "";
$username = "";
$password = "";
$dbname = "";

// Parsing connnection string
foreach ($_SERVER as $key => $value) {
    if (strpos($key, "MYSQLCONNSTR_") !== 0) {
        continue;
    }
    
    $servername = preg_replace("/^.*Data Source=(.+?);.*$/", "\\1", $value);
    $dbname = preg_replace("/^.*Database=(.+?);.*$/", "\\1", $value);
    $username = preg_replace("/^.*User Id=(.+?);.*$/", "\\1", $value);
    $password = preg_replace("/^.*Password=(.+?)$/", "\\1", $value);
}

// Create connection
$conn = new mysqli($servername, $username, $password, $dbname);
// Check connection
if ($conn->connect_error) {
    die("Connection failed: " . $conn->connect_error);
} else {
    echo "connection successful<br/>";
}
$conn->close();
?>

Internals, Diagnostics and Loggings

Where can I find MySql Connection String?

The connection string flows to your application as an env variable MYSQLCONNSTR_localdb. Beware that we are not using the default MySql port (3306). In fact, the port number may vary for each application life cycle depending on its availability at startup time. The port info is also available as an env variable WEBSITE_MYSQL_PORT.

Where is MySql Data directory?

MySql data is stored at d:\home\data\mysql directory. The initialization happens during appSettings WEBSITE_MYSQL_ENABLED = 1 changed. You can see d:\home\data\mysql\unzip_status.log for logging. Beware that if one disables the feature (remove the appSetting), the data directory will not be removed. One will have to manually remove it.

Where is MySql Server log?

MySql server log is stored at d:\home\logfiles\mysql directory. This will be where you start investigating any MySql issues. Beware that the logfile names are dated and, if the number exceeds the limit (50 log files), old ones will be removed to free up spaces.

To turn on general log, simply add appSettings WEBSITE_MYSQL_GENERAL_LOG = 1. The log file is also stored at d:\home\logfiles\mysql directory (look for log file with general suffix).

To turn on slow query log, simply add appSettings WEBSITE_MYSQL_SLOW_QUERY_LOG = 1. The log file is also stored at d:\home\logfiles\mysql directory (look for log file with slowquery suffix).

How to manage MySql database?

phpMyAdmin is enabled by default with the feature. You can access it thru https://<sitename>.scm.azurewebsites.net/phpMyAdmin/.

What about MySql command line tools?

Among other things, MySql.exe or MySqlAdmin.exe tools are available at d:\program files (x86)\MySql\5.7.9.0\bin. Due to limited spaces, we may not have all the complete MySql tool set. Let us know (via forum) if any other tools would be useful.

How do I customize MySql server (MySqld.exe arguments)?

At this moment, we don't expose such knobs. However, do give us feedbacks (via forum) and we will look into it.

How do I report issues?

Forum is a good starting point. Do title it with Local MySql keyword for faster references.