Run MySQL Script from Command Line

Quickly run an SQL script from the command line without actually using the SQL interpreter.

Useful for automation of backups for instance.

mysql -u username -ppass db_name < /path/to/script.sql

Simply pipe the SQL script into mysql with <.

-u and -p pass the MySQL server login creds.  If -p is present, but no password follows (note the LACK of a space between switch and the password) mysql will prompt for a password.