The difference between "mysql" and "mysql -u root -p"

"mysql" is the basic command to start the MySQL client, which is used to connect to and interact with a MySQL server. This command assumes that you want to connect to the MySQL server as the current operating system user.

 

"mysql -u root -p" specifies the MySQL user account that you want to use to connect to the MySQL server. "root" is the username, and "-p" is the option that prompts for a password. So, this command connects to the MySQL server as the "root" user, and you need to enter the password for that user to access the MySQL server.