The most recent version of MySQL can be obtained via the MySQL download page. There are numerous mirrors to choose from. You'll need to perform the following steps:

1. Untar it and change into the source directory tree:

   tar -xvzf mysql-3.22.26a.tar.gz
   cd mysql-3.22.26a
   

2. Configure the package; I used following options:

   ./configure --prefix=/opt/mysql
   

3. Build it:

   make
   

4. Install it; as root:

   make install
   

You'll then need to configure the installation:

1. As root, create the grant tables:

   scripts/mysql_install_db
   

2. As root, start the server:

   /opt/mysql/bin/safe_mysqld &
   

3. As root, create the mysql user:

   useradd -c "MySQL Administrator" -d /opt/mysql -g users mysql
   

4. As root, give the installation tree to the mysql user:

   chown -R mysql.users /opt/mysql
   

Next: Acquiring and Installing mSQL »