Import MySQL dumpfile, SQL datafile into my database

Q. How can I import a MySQL dumpfile into my database? My old hosting provider gave me data.sql file. I do have access via ssh to server. I'm using CentOS Linux 5 server.

A. You can easily restore or import MySQL data with mysql command itself. First you need to login to your system using ssh or putty (from Windows based system). For example:

Type the following command at the shell prompt:

$ ssh loginname@server.hosting.com

Now type following command to import sql data file:
$ mysql -u username -p -h localhost data-base-name < data.sql

If you have dedicated database server, replace localhost name with actual server name or IP address:
$ mysql -u username -p -h 202.54.1.10 databasename < data.sql
OR use hostname such as mysql.hosting.com
$ mysql -u username -p -h mysql.hosting.com database-name < data.sql

If you do not know the database name or database name is included in sql dump you can try out something as follows:
$ mysql -u username -p -h 202.54.1.10 < data.sql