MySQL with Node.js: A Practical Tutorial

Setting Up MySQL with Node.js

To start using MySQL in a Node.js application, you need to install a MySQL driver package.

The most common packages are 'mysql' and 'mysql2', both providing similar APIs with some differences.

• Install MySQL server and create a database.
• Initialize a Node.js project with 'npm init'.
• Install the MySQL package using 'npm install mysql' or 'npm install mysql2'.

Performing CRUD Operations

CRUD stands for Create, Read, Update, and Delete — the four basic operations for managing data.

Node.js allows executing SQL queries to perform these operations on MySQL databases.

• Use parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection.
• Handle query results and errors in callbacks or promises.
• Close connections properly after operations.

Best Practices and Tips

Following best practices ensures your application is secure, efficient, and maintainable.

• Use connection pools to manage multiple database connections efficiently.
• Always sanitize inputs and use parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection.
• Handle asynchronous operations properly using callbacks, promises, or async/await.
• Log errors and handle exceptions gracefully.
• Close database connections when they are no longer needed.