What is the file extension of MySQL Workbench database file?

Question

I am new with MySQL Workbench and is wondering what is the file extension of a particular database file that it saves my data into. I have learned that MySQL Workbench saves files into two types of file extensions: .mwb(MySQL Workbench file) and .sql(Structured Query Language file). I had been used to Microsoft Access 2013 and its .accdb file extension, so I was wondering if which of these serves like .accdb extension. Also, I was thinking if I could use that file in a certain connection string like this in VB.NET as was for .accdb:

Provider=Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0;Data Source=C:\myFolder\myAccessFile.accdb;

Answer 1

There's some confusion here, which often happens with MS Access users. MS Access is an application which does not follow the client-server model . It uses a local file to store everything.

In a client-server world, however, there is a server holding the data and client tools working with the server to query and modify this data. MySQL Workbench is one of many client tools which can work with a MySQL server.

The file types you mentioned are not holding data like the MS Access db, but have other purposes. An mwb file is a model file, which contains data for database design. And an sql file is holding SQL commands in pure text. This type is often used for backups (aka. dumps) or to transfer data + structure in text form.

Neither of these files can be used for establishing a connection to a server (nor does it make sense to use them for such a task).

Having said that, it should be clear that there is no MySQL Workbench database file. As a client tool no data is held by MySQL Workbench, but exclusively by the MySQL server.