It seems that I may have inadvertently loaded the password validation plugin in MySQL 5.7. This plugin seems to force all passwords to comply to certain rules.
I would l
If you want to make exceptions, you can apply the following "hack". It requires a user with DELETE and INSERT privilege for mysql.plugin
system table.
uninstall plugin validate_password;
SET PASSWORD FOR 'app' = PASSWORD('abcd');
INSTALL PLUGIN validate_password SONAME 'validate_password.so';
Bland security disclaimer: Consider, why you are making your password shorter or easier and perhaps consider replacing it with one that is more complex. However, I understand the "it's 3AM and just needs to work" moments, just make sure you don't build a system of hacks, lest you yourself be hacked