How can I install mySQL on CentOS without being root/su?

1. Download MySQL Community Server 5.5.8 Linux - Generic Compressed TAR Archive
2. Unpack it. For example to: /home/martin/mysql

3. Create my.cnf file in your home directory. The file contents should be:

   [server]
   user=martin
   basedir=/home/martin/mysql
   datadir=/home/martin/sql_data
   socket=/home/martin/socket
   port=3666
   

4. Go to the /home/martin/mysql directory and execute:

   ./scripts/mysql_install_db --defaults-file=~/my.cnf --user=martin --basedir=/home/martin/mysql --datadir=/home/martin/sql_data --socket=/home/martin/socket
   

   Note that --defaults-file MUST be the first parameter, otherwise it won't work! It's a MySQL bug.

5. Your MySQL server is ready. Start it with this command:

   ./bin/mysqld_safe --defaults-file=~/my.cnf &
   

   Connecting to server:

   mysql -h 127.0.0.1 -P 3666 -u root -p (using tcp)
   

   or

   mysql --socket=/home/martin/socket -u root -p (using unix socket)
   

   Shutting down server:

   mysqladmin -h 127.0.0.1 -P 3666 -u root shutdown(using tcp)
   

   or

   mysqladmin --socket=/home/martin/socket -u root shutdown (using unix socket)