title: What does mysql use if there is no my.cnf?
body: <p>In short, what configuration values does MySQL use if there is no <code>my.cnf</code>?</p>
  
  <p>I'm running MySQL on Slackware.  I've been using it for a while with ISAM and InnoDB tables.  I never configured a <code>my.cnf</code> file.  Oops.  Now I'd like to do that, but I don't know what settings it is using currently, and I'd like to know before I install a <code>my.cnf</code> file and possibly change things.  </p>
  
  <p>I've done MySQL <code>--help</code> and checked the locations given.<br>
  I've done find / and I'm certain there is no <code>my.cnf</code> or <code>.my.cnf</code> file anywhere.<br>
  I've done <code>ps aux</code> and no <code>--defaults_file</code> is being specified.  </p>
  
  <p>These files exist:</p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>/etc/my-medium.cnf<br>
    /etc/my-huge.cnf<br>
    /etc/my-small.cnf<br>
    /etc/my-large.cnf  </p>
    
    <p>/usr/share/mysql/my-medium.cnf<br>
    /usr/share/mysql/my-huge.cnf<br>
    /usr/share/mysql/my-small.cnf<br>
    /usr/share/mysql/my-innodb-heavy-4G.cnf<br>
    /usr/share/mysql/my-large.cnf  </p>
  </blockquote>