Create database in custom folder

Question

Is it possible to create database in custom folder? Like: mysql> create database test FOLDER='/home/username/db_folder/'?

Answer 1

In Linux environment it can be painless using simple symbolic links:

1. First check in my.cnf [/etc/mysql/my.cnf] for database files destination.
2. Let's say that destination is in folder /var/lib/mysql/ and yours database name is "abccompany"
3. Stop mysql database
4. Move folder [var/lib/mysql/abccompany] to new destination (let say "/diskY")
5. Make symbolic link:

   ln  -s  /diskY/abccompany   abccompany
   

6. Start mysql database and everything should work just fine.

Answer 2

No its not possible .. there is no FOLDER switch for the create database command : http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.0/en/create-database.html

MySQL uses the folder specified in the my.cnf file for the placement of its files - look for the datadir option in the .cnf file.

Link to the docs for datadir