mysql-quick-copy - A faster database copy solution

This method copies binary data files in the MySQL data directory rather than using the mysqldump tool provided.

Timing

For a 55GB database:

• export ~2 minutes
• import ~3 minutes

Usage

• Export the table data to the /tmp folder.

./export.rb -d 'my_database' -u 'user' -p 'password' -o '/tmp'
./export.rb -h # for detailed information and defaults

• Copy /tmp/my_database to the destination computer. Compressing the directory can help transfer times.

• Import the table data

./import.rb -d 'my_database' -u 'user' -p 'password' -s '/tmp'
./import.rb -h # for detailed information and defaults

Notes

• Script needs to be run on the server with MySQL client installed.
• This method locks each table individually during the export process.
• Script needs access to the MySQL datadir directory.
• Only works with MySQL

Use cases

• Copying databases for developers
• Creating test databases that are expendable
• Dumping staging data
• Do not use in production as it locks each table ~ 1-10 seconds depending on size

TODO - open a PR :)

• Create gem
• Create Homebrew recipe
• Slackbot integration