The recently released MySQL Workbench 6.1 continues expanding the capabilities of the tool. This version focuses on performance analysis features for MySQL server workload and queries, taking advantage of performance_schema improvements introduced in MySQL 5.6 and 5.7 DMR.

This is a overview of the new features we’ve added. Some of them are covered in more detail in separate posts.

New Navigator PERFORMANCE Section

The new PERFORMANCE section includes Dashboard, Performance Reports, andPerformance Schema Setup pages. Generally, this new performance reporting feature provides a graphical representation of key statistics from the MySQL server status, and provides an overview of the MySQL server subsystems.

Dashboard

View server performance statistics in a graphical dashboard.

Figure 2.1 Performance Dashboard

Performance Reports

Performance schema based reports that provide insight into the operation of the MySQL server through many high-level reports.

Figure 2.2 Performance Reports: Top I/0 By Bytes

Performance Schema Setup

A GUI for configuring and fine tuning the Performance Schema instrumentation. Initially, this loads an “Easy Setup” page that is enough for most users. Slide the “Performance Schema Full Enabled” slider to YES to enable all available Performance Schema instruments.

Figure 2.3 Performance Schema Setup: Easy Setup

Clicking Show Advanced provides methods to fine tune the Performance Schema instrumentation.

Figure 2.4 Performance Schema Setup: Introduction

Server Variable Groupings

Variables can now be organized using custom groupings in the Status and System Variables Management tab.

To create a custom group, right-click on a variable and choose either Add to Custom Category (to create a new category), or an existing custom category.

Figure 2.5 Status And System Variables: Custom

SQL Editor Views

Additional viewing options were added for executed statements:

Result Grid

Available previously, and it remains the default view.

Figure 2.6 SQL Editor: Result Grid

Form Editor

You can now edit records row by row in a form style editor.

Figure 2.7 SQL Editor: Form Editor

Field Types

Displays information about the selected fields, similar to passing in --column-type-info from the command line client.

Figure 2.8 SQL Editor: Field Types

Query Stats

Query statistics are taken from the Performance Schema, and includes information about timing, temporary tables, indexes, joins, and more.

Figure 2.9 SQL Editor: Query Stats

Home Screen Features

Several behavioral improvements were made to the MySQL Workbench Home screen, including:

Visual Explain

The layout changed, and additional information is now viewable by hovering over the fields. It also displays traditional EXPLAIN output in a separate tab, and the Raw Explain Data (as JSON) in another. For MySQL server 5.7+, the new “cost information” (such as “query_cost” and “sort_cost) is also utilized.

Figure 2.10 Visual Explain: Workbench 6.0

Figure 2.11 Visual Explain: Workbench 6.1

Table Inspector

View table information, similar to the Schema Inspector. This also has a simpler and easier to use interface for analyzing and creating indexes for your tables.

Figure 2.12 Table Inspector

Additional Client Connection Information

Additional information was added to the Client Connections tab, such as Thread ID, Parent Thread, Instrumented, and Type.

Figure 2.13 Client Connections: MySQL Workbench 6.0

Figure 2.14 Client Connections: MySQL Workbench 6.1

Also, a Thread Stack view option was added by right-clicking a connection entry in the Client Connections tab and choosing View Thread Stack.

Figure 2.15 Client Connections: View Thread Stack

Additional Miscellaneous Additions