Unknown system variable 'language' on Database Setup page when using MySQL
Platform notice: Server and Data Center only. This article only applies to Atlassian products on the Server and Data Center platforms.
Support for Server* products ended on February 15th 2024. If you are running a Server product, you can visit the Atlassian Server end of support announcement to review your migration options.
*Except Fisheye and Crucible
Problem
When installing JIRA, on the Database Setup page of the wizard, the error "Unknown system variable 'language'" shows up on the screen after clicking Next.
Diagnosis
Environment
- Using MySQL as the database server
http-nio-8080-exec-7 ERROR anonymous 949x7x1 1u8y9vf 10.161.64.214 /secure/SetupDatabase.jspa[c.a.config.bootstrap.DefaultAtlassianBootstrapManager] Could not successfully test your database:
java.sql.SQLException: Unknown system variable 'storage_engine'
at com.mysql.jdbc.SQLError.createSQLException(SQLError.java:959)
at com.mysql.jdbc.MysqlIO.checkErrorPacket(MysqlIO.java:3870)
at com.mysql.jdbc.MysqlIO.checkErrorPacket(MysqlIO.java:3806)
at com.mysql.jdbc.MysqlIO.sendCommand(MysqlIO.java:2470)
at com.mysql.jdbc.MysqlIO.sqlQueryDirect(MysqlIO.java:2617)
Cause
There is a bug in the MySQL Connector/J version 5.1.36, when connecting to MySQL server 5.0.x. This is tracked at http://bugs.mysql.com/bug.php?id=77665.
Workaround
Install the working version of MySQL Connector/J 5.1.35.
Resolution
- Once MySQL fixes the bug, you may use the fixed version of the Connector/J.