Set up MySQL Workbench on AlmaLinux 8 | Easy Steps

In this guide on the Orcacore website, we want to teach you How To Set up MySQL Workbench on AlmaLinux 8. MySQL Workbench is a visual database modeling and designing tool capable of accessing MySQL databases on remote or on-site servers. It injects ease of use and functionality into your SQL and MySQL development projects. Furthermore, the tool offers a graphical interface to work with your on-site or remote databases.

The functionalities that you get are complete. But the popular ones are SQL designing, creating, developing, maintaining, and administering. Another essential function of the tool is to modify existing and supported databases using forward and reverse engineering.

To set up MySQL Workbench on AlmaLinux 8, you must log in to your server as a non-root user with sudo privileges. To do this, you can follow our guide on the Initial Server Setup with AlmaLinux 8.

Now follow the steps below to complete this guide.

1. Install MySQL Workbench on AlmaLinux 8

By default, MySQL Workbench packages aren’t available in the default AlmaLinux repository. So you need to add it to your server.

To do this, run the following command:

sudo dnf install https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql80-community-release-el8-3.noarch.rpm

When your installation is completed, run the system update that will refresh the repository cache to make sure the system will get the latest available packages from the added Repos.

sudo dnf update -y

At this point, you can use the following command to install MySQL Workbench on your server:

sudo dnf install mysql-workbench-community -y

2. Launch MySQL Workbench on AlmaLinux

Now, you can run the application by running the following command from your terminal:

mysql-workbench

Or you can go to the Application launcher, search for it, and click when its icon appears.

3. Remove MySQL Workbench

If you no longer want to use Workbench, you can easily remove it with the command below:

sudo dnf remove mysql-workbench -y

Also, remove the repository:

sudo rm mysql-community.repo mysql-community-source.repo

That’s it, you are done.

For more information, you can visit the MySQL Workbench Documentation page.

Conclusion

In conclusion, setting up MySQL Workbench on AlmaLinux 8 is a quick process that gives you a powerful graphical tool to manage MySQL databases. It simplifies database design, queries, and administration tasks in a user-friendly environment.

Hope you enjoy it. You may be interested in these articles:

How To Set up Mono Software on AlmaLinux 8

Install and Configure Memcached on AlmaLinux 8

Install and Use Podman on AlmaLinux 8

Alternative Solutions for Installing MySQL Workbench on AlmaLinux 8

While the method described above using the official MySQL repository is the recommended and generally easiest approach, here are two alternative ways to install MySQL Workbench on AlmaLinux 8:

1. Using Flatpak:

Flatpak is a universal package management system that allows you to install applications across different Linux distributions. It provides a sandboxed environment for applications, enhancing security and preventing conflicts with system libraries.

Explanation:

Flatpak offers a convenient way to install MySQL Workbench, especially if you prefer to avoid adding external repositories to your system. The Flatpak version is usually kept up-to-date and provides a consistent experience across different Linux distributions. This method is beneficial if you have Flatpak already configured on your system or if you want to keep your system’s core package manager clean.

Steps:

1. Install Flatpak (if not already installed):

   sudo dnf install flatpak

2. Add the Flathub repository (if not already added):

   flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

3. Install MySQL Workbench using Flatpak:

   flatpak install flathub com.mysql.workbench

4. Run MySQL Workbench:

   flatpak run com.mysql.workbench

Code Example (Uninstalling Flatpak version):

flatpak uninstall com.mysql.workbench

2. Using Snap (less recommended):

While Snap is another universal package manager, it’s generally less popular on AlmaLinux compared to Flatpak. It’s also worth noting that Snap is developed by Canonical (the company behind Ubuntu), and while it works on other distributions, it integrates best with Ubuntu.

Explanation:

Snap packages are self-contained and include all the dependencies required to run the application. This can simplify installation but can also lead to larger package sizes. Snap packages also auto-update by default, which might not be desirable in all situations. This method is generally not preferred over using DNF or Flatpak on AlmaLinux.

Steps:

1. Install Snapd:

   sudo dnf install snapd

2. Enable the Snap socket:

   sudo systemctl enable --now snapd.socket

3. Create a symbolic link for Snap Classic support:

   sudo ln -s /var/lib/snapd/snap /snap

4. Install MySQL Workbench using Snap:

   sudo snap install mysql-workbench-kDevelop

5. Run MySQL Workbench:

   mysql-workbench-kDevelop

Code Example (Uninstalling Snap version):

sudo snap remove mysql-workbench-kDevelop

Considerations:

• Flatpak vs. Snap: Flatpak is generally preferred on distributions like AlmaLinux because it integrates better with the desktop environment and provides a more consistent experience. Snap can sometimes have issues with theming and integration.
• Package Size: Flatpak and Snap packages tend to be larger than packages installed through the system’s native package manager (DNF in this case) because they include all the necessary dependencies.
• Updates: Flatpak and Snap packages typically auto-update, which can be convenient but might not be desirable in all situations. You can usually configure auto-updates, but it might require extra steps.
• Security: Both Flatpak and Snap provide sandboxed environments for applications, enhancing security.

Conclusion on Alternative Solutions:

While the original method using the MySQL repository is the most straightforward and recommended approach, Flatpak provides a viable alternative for setting up MySQL Workbench on AlmaLinux 8, especially if you prefer universal package managers and sandboxed environments. Snap is an option, but generally less recommended due to integration issues and potentially larger package sizes. The best method depends on your specific preferences and system configuration. Remember to choose the method that best suits your needs and comfort level. The most important thing is to successfully set up MySQL Workbench on AlmaLinux 8 and start using it to manage your MySQL databases.