MySQL ERROR 1290 (HY000) –secure-file-priv option

Ubuntu 16.04 (EASY): Find out where you are allowed to write

mysql> SELECT @@GLOBAL.secure_file_priv;
+---------------------------+
| @@GLOBAL.secure_file_priv |
+---------------------------+
| /var/lib/mysql-files/     |
+---------------------------+
1 row in set (0.00 sec)

Then, just write there

mysql> SELECT * FROM train INTO OUTFILE '/var/lib/mysql-files/test.csv' FIELDS TERMINATED BY ',';
Query OK, 992931 rows affected (1.65 sec)

mysql>

Mac OSX: Mysql installed via MAMP

Find out where you are allowed to write

mysql> SELECT @@GLOBAL.secure_file_priv;
+---------------------------+
| @@GLOBAL.secure_file_priv |
+---------------------------+
| NULL                      |
+---------------------------+
1 row in set (0.00 sec)

NULL means you’re screwed so you have to create the file “~/.my.cnf”

Enable read/write for MySQL installed via MAMP (on Mac):

1. open “MAMP” use spotlight
2. click “Stop Servers”
3. edit ~/.my.cnf (using vi or your favorite editor) and add the following lines:$ vi ~/.my.cnf

[mysqld_safe]

[mysqld]

secure_file_priv=”/Users/russian_spy/”

4. click “Start Servers” (in MAMP window)

Now check if it works:

a. start mysql (default MAMP user is root, password is also root)

$ /Applications/MAMP/Library/bin/mysql -u root -p 

b. in mysql look at the white-listed paths

mysql> SELECT @@GLOBAL.secure_file_priv;
+---------------------------+
| @@GLOBAL.secure_file_priv |
+---------------------------+
| /Users/russian_spy/          |
+---------------------------+
1 row in set (0.00 sec)

c. Finally, test by exporting a table train into a CSV file

mysql> SELECT * FROM train INTO OUTFILE '/Users/russian_spy/test.csv' FIELDS TERMINATED BY ',';
Query OK, 992931 rows affected (1.65 sec)

mysql>