install RMySQL for Mac

Question

I get below error when I try to install Mysql package (MAC OS)

install.packages('RMySQL')

  package ‘RMySQL’ is available as a source package but not as a binary

Warning in install.packages :
 package ‘RMySQL’ is not available (for R version 3.1.0)

I am not sure what I need to set in order for this to work.

Answer 1

The author of RMySQL no longer provide binary packages, so you will have to build from source.

I have posted the complete solution in another thread: Installing RMySQL in mavericks.

Basically, in order for install.packages('RMySQL', type='source') to work correctly, what you are lacking are:

1. Make sure you have "gcc" available.
2. Install MySQL client somewhere, e.g., via Homebrew.

3. Configure and build RMySQL from source in RStudio or in Terminal:

   • Set the 2 environment variables PKG_CPPFLAGS and PKG_LIBS to indicate where the include and lib are.

   • Run install.packages('RMySQL', type='source') in RStudio or R CMD INSTALL RMySQL_x.x-x.tar.gz in Terminal

Answer 2

Installing from source worked well for me. For those who are new to R, the way to install from source is:

install.packages('RMySQL', type='source')