How to install MariaDB client on Windows

MariaDB is a popular open-source relational database management system, which is a fork of the widely used MySQL. It has gained popularity due to its high performance, scalability, and ease of use. Installing the MariaDB client on a Windows machine allows users to interact with MariaDB databases hosted on remote servers or the same machine, execute SQL queries, and manage database schema.

There are various ways to install the MariaDB client on Windows, but this guide will focus on using the MariaDB MSI package, which provides an easy-to-use graphical installer. This installer includes both the MariaDB server and the client, but you can choose to install only the client during the installation process.

Follow this step-by-step guide to install the MariaDB client on your Windows machine:

1. Download the latest MariaDB MSI package from the official website: https://downloads.mariadb.org/.
2. Navigate to the downloaded file, double-click on it to launch the installer, and follow the prompts.
3. On the “Select Components” screen, choose “Client only” to install just the MariaDB client.
4. Choose the installation directory or leave the default, and click “Next.”
5. If you want to add the MariaDB installation directory to your system's PATH, check the “Add to PATH” checkbox.
6. Proceed with the installation by clicking “Next” and then “Install.”
7. Wait for the installation to complete and click “Finish” to close the installer.
8. Open a new command prompt or PowerShell window to start using the MariaDB client.
9. Test the installation by executing the mysql command, followed by the –version flag.

   mysql --version

10. If the installation was successful, you should see the MariaDB client version displayed in the command prompt or PowerShell window.