determine mysql version from mysql itself

Question

I already know this command in Linux

mysql --version #outputs version of MySQL

But I have a case where I can't get access to the server, but can connect to the db.

Is there a MYSQL query which will output its own version?

Answer 1

Example: Unix command(root is the MYSQL username),

$ mysql -u root -p -e 'SHOW VARIABLES LIKE "%version%";'

Sample outputs:

+-------------------------+-------------------------+
| Variable_name           | Value                   |
+-------------------------+-------------------------+
| innodb_version          | 5.5.49                  |
| protocol_version        | 10                      |
| slave_type_conversions  |                         |
| version                 | 5.5.49-0ubuntu0.14.04.1 |
| version_comment         | (Ubuntu)                |
| version_compile_machine | x86_64                  |
| version_compile_os      | debian-linux-gnu        |
+-------------------------+-------------------------+

In above case mysql version is 5.5.49.

Please find this useful reference.

Answer 2

From the Manual

show variables like '%version%';