What is the purpose of the mysql source command?

The mysql source command is used to execute one or multiple SQL script files. It reads the specified file and executes each SQL statement on the current MySQL server connection. This command allows for the convenient execution of a series of SQL statements already saved in a file, without the need to manually input them one by one.

For example, you can execute an SQL script file using the following command:

execute the script located at /path/to/script.sql

/path/to/script.sql is the path and filename of the SQL script file to be executed.

The source command is commonly used for performing backups and restores on large databases, as well as for running scheduled SQL statements.