Adminer 4.2.2

Overview

Adminer is a compact, yet robust MySQL database management application that aids in the development process by providing a centralized interface in which all aspects of databases can be created, edited, and deleted.

Installation

Despite being designed for advanced web developers, Adminer has an installation and setup process that even the most novice user can complete. Simply download the .php file and upload it to a web server, where it can then be accessed via the web hosting control panel. The file size is incredibly small at only about 355 kB, so the download process usually takes no more than a minute.

Interface

The Adminer user interface is somewhat similar to that of phpMyAdmin, with an extensive number of menus and sub menus that can be accessed via the main window. All information is conveniently displayed within neatly categorized tables in an easy-to-read manner that is conducive to productivity. Users can download alternative interface designs in the form of CSS files from the Adminer official website.

Pros

• Connect to database servers with a chosen username/password

• Supports all major data types and facilitates expeditious file transfers

• Lets you create, edit, search and drop items via indexes that include fulltext

• Lets you create, drop, edit, and link lists using foreign keys

• Lets you create, edit, select, and drop items from multiple views

• Conveniently add/drop tables and columns

• Control multiple user accounts and individual privileges

• A plethora of customization options make the user interface extremely adaptable

• Quickly insert, update, and delete new and existing records

• Table structure, views, data, databases, and routines can all be exported to CSV or SQL formats

• Almost every aspect of a table can be altered, including name, collation, engine, comment, and auto_increment

• Easy to change all of the input fields in a column, including name, collation, type, default values, and comments

• Instantly execute any type of SQL commands using an integrated text field or an import file

• Can display and kill all active processes

• Print and export database schema that are connected via foreign keys

• Data is listed in tables that can be searched, sorted, aggregated, and refined to display only the most important information

Cons

• Novice users may need to study the included help documentation in order to take advantage of the more advanced features.

Alternatives

The most popular alternative to Adminer is phpMyAdmin, a MySQL database manager that has become the industry standard for web developers. However, the creator of Adminer have strived to ensure that it provides a better user experience, performance, security, and support for MySQL features than phpMyAdmin. In fact, there is even an Adminer vs phpMyAdmin page on the official Adminer website which provides a detailed comparison of the two.

Conclusion

If you're looking for a compact MySQL database manager that can compete with phpMyAdmin in every area, Adminer provides a comprehensive solution that is ideal for users of all skill levels. With a fully customizable interface, plenty of exclusive features, and extensive support/help documentation, this server-side software is quickly becoming an industry standard amongst web developers.