I would like to write a script which copies my current database sitedb1 to sitedb2 on the same mysql database instance. I know I can dump the sitedb1 to a sql script:
mysqldump -u root -p sitedb1 >~/db_name.sql
and then import it to sitedb2.
Is there an easier way, without dumping the first database to a sql file?
As the manual says in Copying Databases you can pipe the dump directly into the mysql client:
mysqldump --routines --triggers db_name | mysql new_db_name
If you're using MyISAM you could copy the files, but I wouldn't recommend it. It's a bit dodgy.
Integrated from various good other answers
Both mysqldump and mysql commands accept options for setting connection details (and much more), like:
mysqldump -u <user name> --password=<pwd> <original db> | mysql -u <user name> -p <new db>
Also, if the new database is not existing yet, you have to create it beforehand (e.g. with echo "create database new_db_name" | mysql -u <dbuser> -p).