MySQL: Cloning a MySQL database on the same MySql instance

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 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).

Using MySQL Utilities

The MySQL Utilities contain the nice tool mysqldbcopy which by default copies a DB including all related objects (“tables, views, triggers, events, procedures, functions, and database-level grants”) and data from one DB server to the same or to another DB server. There are lots of options available to customize what is actually copied.

So, to answer the OP’s question:

mysqldbcopy \
    --source=root:your_password@localhost \
    --destination=root:your_password@localhost \
    sitedb1:sitedb2

Best and easy way is to enter these commands in your terminal and set permissions to the root user. Works for me..!

:~$> mysqldump -u root -p db1 > dump.sql
:~$> mysqladmin -u root -p create db2
:~$> mysql -u root -p db2 < dump.sql