Node.js - how to connect with MySQL

In this article, we would like to show you how to use MySQL in Node.js.

1. Simple steps

Step 1 - Install the mysql module in your Node project. 

npm install mysql

Step 2 - Import the mysql module by using require and create a connection with MySQL database. 

const mysql = require('mysql');

const connection = mysql.createConnection({
    host: 'localhost',  // '127.0.0.1'
    user: 'root',
    password: 'password',
    database: 'database_name'
});

connection.connect(error => {
    if (error) throw error;
});

That's it, you've been connected and from now on you can query your database.

Note:

For applications that require a large number of database connections it is better to use createPool() method instead of createConnection(). For more details read this article.

2. Practical example

In this example, we present how to perform a simple SELECT query on the connected database that selects all rows fron the users table.

const mysql = require('mysql');

const connection = mysql.createconnection({       // gets connection with database
    host: 'localhost',  // '127.0.0.1'
    user: 'root',
    password: 'password',
    database: 'database_name',
});

connection.connect((error) => {
    if (error) throw error;
    const query = 'SELECT * FROM ??';
    const tableName = ['users'];

    connection.query(query, (error, result) => {  // sends queries and receives results
        connection.end();                         // closes connection
        if (error) throw error;
        console.log(result);
  });
});

See also

1. Node.js / MySQL - createConnection vs createPool

References

1. MySQL package - npm