Mac OS X: MySQL on Mac OS X: "You can now start mysql and perform a few important tasks, like setting a mysql password to protect the database itself. Note that, while starting the database requires system root privileges, actions within the database itself do not require system root privileges, but database root privileges. It is somewhat confusing that MySQL uses the account name 'root' for its all-powerful account, just as the system does, even though they are completely separate entities.

Starting mysql is accomplished with:"