The VERSION() function in MySQL is used to retrieve the version number of the MySQL server that you are currently connected to. This function can be useful in various scenarios, such as when you need to check the server version for compatibility or if you simply want to display the MySQL server version in your application.

Syntax

The syntax for the VERSION() function is straightforward:

SELECT VERSION();

Example

Let’s look at a simple example of how to use the VERSION() function:

-- Retrieve the MySQL server version
SELECT VERSION();

The result of this query will be a single-row, single-column result set that displays the version of the MySQL server, such as:

+-----------+
| VERSION() |
+-----------+
| 8.2.0     |
+-----------+

In this example, the version number is “8.2.0”, indicating the MySQL server version installed on the system.

Additional Notes

The VERSION() function can be used in various contexts, such as in stored procedures, triggers, or within your application code to determine the MySQL server version dynamically.

It’s essential to be aware of the MySQL version you are working with, as different versions may have variations in syntax, features, and functionality.

If you’re using the MySQL command-line client, you can also retrieve the version information by typing \s and looking for the “Server version” field in the output.

Remember that the VERSION() function is a simple yet powerful tool for obtaining information about the MySQL server version, and it can be valuable in ensuring compatibility and troubleshooting in your database applications.