<p>MySQL is one of the most recommended tools for managing and organizing data in a database. In this article, I outline steps to help fix the error <code>Syntax Error: Unexpected Identifier</code> when connecting to the MySQL shell server</p>
<h2 id="heading-why-the-error">Why the error?</h2>
<p>This error mostly occurs when using the MySQL shell in <code>JS</code> mode, preventing users from directly running queries after launching the MySQL shell.</p>
<h3 id="heading-fixing-the-syntax-error">Fixing the Syntax Error</h3>
<p>To fix the error, you have to switch the shell to <code>SQL</code> mode and connect to the server.</p>
<h3 id="heading-step-1">Step 1:</h3>
<p>Switch the MySQL shell from <code>JS</code> to <code>SQL</code> mode using the command below</p>
<pre><code class="lang-javascript">\sql
</code></pre>
<p><img src="https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1675263066745/d6b1c166-e9d0-4bf7-b6c7-8f8b58037503.png" alt class="image--center mx-auto" /></p>
<h3 id="heading-step-2">Step 2</h3>
<p>Connect to the server using the MySQL user and hostname specified during the installation process. Use the command below</p>
<pre><code class="lang-javascript">\connect root@localhost
</code></pre>
<ul>
<li><code>root</code> represent the user, while <code>localhost</code> represents the hostname</li>
</ul>
<p>See the screenshot below</p>
<p><img src="https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1675263430603/9d0dd78a-71a0-43f2-a353-fda61ca1348a.png" alt class="image--center mx-auto" /></p>
<p>Congrats, you have resolved the error and can proceed to create a database.</p>
<p>Lastly, if you want to create a database, the command to use is as below</p>
<pre><code class="lang-javascript">create database databaseName;
</code></pre>
<h2 id="heading-summary">Summary</h2>
<p>In this article, we learned how to fix the <code>Unexpected Identifier</code> error when using <code>MySQL shell</code>.</p>


MySQL is one of the most recommended tools for managing and organizing data in a database. In this article, I outline steps to help fix the error `Syntax Error: Unexpected Identifier` when connecting to the MySQL shell server

## Why the error?

This error mostly occurs when using the MySQL shell in `JS` mode, preventing users from directly running queries after launching the MySQL shell.

### Fixing the Syntax Error

To fix the error, you have to switch the shell to `SQL` mode and connect to the server.

### Step 1:

Switch the MySQL shell from `JS` to `SQL` mode using the command below

```javascript
\sql
```

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1675263066745/d6b1c166-e9d0-4bf7-b6c7-8f8b58037503.png align="center")

### Step 2

Connect to the server using the MySQL user and hostname specified during the installation process. Use the command below

```javascript
\connect root@localhost
```

* `root` represent the user, while `localhost` represents the hostname
    

See the screenshot below

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1675263430603/9d0dd78a-71a0-43f2-a353-fda61ca1348a.png align="center")

Congrats, you have resolved the error and can proceed to create a database.

Lastly, if you want to create a database, the command to use is as below

```javascript
create database databaseName;
```

## Summary

In this article, we learned how to fix the `Unexpected Identifier` error when using `MySQL shell`.

How to fix MySQL Syntax Error: Unexpected  Identifier

Solidifying my knowledge, transferring thoughts and helping beginner programmers remove the frustration wth copy-paste code without really understanding it
