MySQL Error 72 occurs when a required argument for a short command-line option (such as -u, -p, or -h) is missing, causing the client or server to exit with an error.
MySQL Error 72: EE_SHORT_OPTION_REQUIRES_ARGUMENT signals that a short option like -u or -p was provided without the mandatory value. Supply the missing argument or switch to the long option format to resolve the issue.
%s: option '-%c' requires an argument. EE_SHORT_OPTION_REQUIRES_ARGUMENT was added in 8.0.13.
mysqld: option '-p' requires an argument (Error 72, EE_SHORT_OPTION_REQUIRES_ARGUMENT). The program stops before connecting or starting.
The MySQL option parser treats single-dash flags followed by one letter as short options. If that option needs a value, the parser expects the value to appear immediately after the flag or as the next token.
When the value is absent, MySQL aborts execution and throws Error 72.
EE_SHORT_OPTION_REQUIRES_ARGUMENT was added in MySQL 8.0.13 to clarify option misuse. Earlier versions exited silently or with a generic error.
Build pipelines, cron jobs, and container entrypoints that omit required arguments will fail fast.
Continuous integration systems may report failed deployments, and backups scheduled through mysqldump can silently skip runs.
Galaxy’s connection dialogs validate required parameters before launching the MySQL client, preventing Error 72. The AI copilot also flags incomplete command examples shared in Collections.
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Yes. When you invoke "mysql -p" with no password value, MySQL prompts you interactively. The error only appears if space separation leaves the parser thinking the argument is missing.
Yes. Starting mysqld with a short option that needs a value, like -g or -P, without the argument, will trigger Error 72 before the server initializes.
Scripts that relied on older silent behavior may now fail on 8.0.13+. Review and update command lines to include all required arguments.
Galaxy requires host, user, and password fields in its connection modal. Missing values are flagged before any CLI call, eliminating Error 72 in routine use.
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