Bug #99283 mysql --binary-as-hex default is confusing
Submitted: 16 Apr 2020 19:23 Modified: 16 Apr 2020 22:05
Reporter: Morgan Tocker Email Updates:
Status: Verified Impact on me:
None 
Category:MySQL Server: Command-line Clients Severity:S3 (Non-critical)
Version:8.0.19+ OS:Any
Assigned to: CPU Architecture:Any

[16 Apr 2020 19:23] Morgan Tocker 
Description:
In MySQL 8.0.19 the default for --binary-as-hex changed to ON for interactive sessions. See: https://dev.mysql.com/worklog/task/?id=13038

The problem is, this is non-obvious to users because to a naive user it looks like the default is "OFF":

$ mysql --help | grep binary-as-hex
  --binary-as-hex     Print binary data as hex
binary-as-hex                     FALSE

Which leads to confusion, is it a different setting that is responsible? Nope, the default printed here is for non-interactive.

How to repeat:
See description

Suggested fix:
Is it possible to list the default as something like AUTO? That makes it clear it's contextual.

.. and thanks for changing the default by the way. Much better!
[16 Apr 2020 22:05] MySQL Verification Team 
Thank you for the bug report.