Solve the MySQL ERROR at line 1: Unknown command '-' problem

Are you inMySQLI've encountered this maddening error message on the command line:“ERROR at line 1: Unknown command '-'"?

You are not alone in this problem, and this article will dive into this common yet confusing problem and provide you with proven solutions.

The cause of the error

To understand this error, we must first understand where it comes from.

OnMySQLIn the command line, when we usemysqldumpWhen importing or exporting databases with other tools, you may encounter\-Such special characters.

This character may be misunderstood as an escape character in the command line option, causing MySQL to be unable to correctly recognize and execute the command, thus throwing a "Unknown command"mistake.

The importance of version compatibility

Usually, this problem is related to version compatibility of MySQL or MariaDB.

This error is more likely to occur especially when you transfer data between servers with different versions.

For example, suppose you are using MariaDB version 10.5.25 on the source server and version 10.3.39 on the target server. The difference between the two versions may cause inconsistent behavior of command line tools, thus causing this error.

You can check the current use ofmysqldumpVersion:

mysqldump --version

The most direct and effective way to deal with this problem is to ensure that themysqldumpThe tools are the same version, or at least run on the latest version of their respective series. This can reduce the occurrence of errors caused by version mismatches.

Upgrading MySQL/MariaDB

If you are running an older version of MariaDB on your server, upgrading it is a good option.

Although the upgrade process is simple, you must back up the database before the operation to prevent accidents during the upgrade.

CentOS 7 Upgrading MariaDB

On CentOS 7 systems, upgrading MariaDB can be done by following the steps below:

1. backup database: Before upgrading, be sure to back up the database. You can use the following command inHestiaCPTo perform a one-click backup in the control panel:

   bash /usr/local/hestia/install/upgrade/manual/upgrade_mariadb.sh
   

   This will not only back up your database, but will also ensure quick recovery if the upgrade fails.

2. Update MariaDBUpgrade MariaDB to the latest version using the following command:

   sudo yum update mariadb-server
   

   Alternatively, install the latest MariaDB version package as required.

conclusion and suggestion

"Unknown command '-'” Although errors may seem difficult to solve, they are not difficult to solve as long as you find the root cause of the problem and take appropriate measures.

1. Ensure that tool versions between servers are consistent to reduce issues caused by incompatibility.
2. 保持MariaDB版本的最新状态，以避免由于旧版本导various problems caused by it.

Final Thoughts

The key to resolving MySQL errors is to understand the nature of the problem and find the appropriate fix.

Such problems can be effectively avoided by upgrading the database version and ensuring tool compatibility.

As a database administrator or developer, you need to always maintain a keen eye to ensure the stability and security of the system.

Now, check your MySQL/MariaDB versions immediately to make sure they are up to date and upgrade if necessary.

Don't let these little mistakes slow down your work efficiency!