[snorkytheweasel]

mysql 4.x on linux

Some query errors generate an error message. I have no problem with that - I can usually find my oopsie and fix it.

However, some syntax errors do not generate a message; instead, they present a prompt that seems to accept no input and won't allow me to break out of the query. So far, my only way out is CTRL-C, which kicks me out of mysql. From there I can login to mysql, execute a 'use db' statement, and go back to work.

Surely there is a way out of that 'you screwed up and now I'm going to taunt you" prompt.

Here's an example:
mysql> update personnel set fname=Roxanne" where id="318";
The error is that I omitted the 1st quote mark in front of the value for column fname.

mysql returns the following prompt:
" >

Then begins my descent into purgatory. How should I respond to break out of that loop and go back to what I was doing before my mistake?

[snorkytheweasel]

And the answer is [drumroll, please]

1. When the mystery prompt says "> , it is looking for a quotation mark
2. At the prompt, enter the quotation mark
3. type in a semi-colon (to terminate the entry
4. mash down the ENTER key

That breaks out of the error without crashing through mysql. However, it does not fix the bad query. You have to do that by repeating the query (use up arrow) and correcting the flaw.