mysql and linux users

[chamal de silva]

Hi,

I installed mysql using rpm.

But I did not create a user for mysql.
Mysql manual says something like that I should create a group and a user called mysql and that user should own the data directory. I do not understand that exactly.

At the moment my mysql data directory is owned by root.

Is it ok and do I have to create a user and group called mysql.
Can you please tell me exactly what I should do?

Other thing is as what user should I run mysql.
WHat should I use for the --user option and --pid option.

Thanking you,
Chamal.