Should the mysql user be used to start / stop mysqld

[Karl Champion]

Hello,

Complete newbie to MySQL.

So I have installed MySQL 8.0.44 on RHEL 9

a mysql linux account is automatically created but has no shell enabled. So to switch to the mysql linux account I run

su - mysql --shell=/bin/bash

When trying to start mysqld as the mysql user I am prompted for the root password.

uid=27(mysql) gid=27(mysql) groups=27(mysql)
$ systemctl start mysqld
==== AUTHENTICATING FOR org.freedesktop.systemd1.manage-units ====
Authentication is required to start 'mysqld.service'.
Authenticating as: root
Password:

I have been using OS root to stop and start mysqld but I want to move away from using the OS root user.

All mysql files and directories are owned by the mysql linux account.

So my questions are:

1. Should the mysql account have privileges to start/stop mysqld without prompting for root password?

2. What is best practice for the mysql linux account? is it ok for the user to have login permissions?

Many Thanks