For a list of OS X versions that the MySQL server supports, see http://www.mysql.com/support/supportedplatforms/database.html.
MySQL for OS X is available in a number of different forms:
Native Package Installer format, which uses the native OS X installer (DMG) to walk you through the installation of MySQL. For more information, see Chapter 2, Installing MySQL on OS X Using Native Packages. You can use the package installer with OS X 10.6 and later, and the package is available for both 32-bit and 64-bit architectures. The user you use to perform the installation must have administrator privileges.
Tar package format, which uses a file packaged using the Unix tar and gzip commands. To use this method, you will need to open a Terminal window. You do not need administrator privileges using this method, as you can install the MySQL server anywhere using this method. For more information on using this method, you can use the generic instructions for using a tarball, Installing MySQL on Unix/Linux Using Generic Binaries.You can use the package installer with OS X 10.6 and later, and available for both 32-bit and 64-bit architectures.
In addition to the core installation, the Package Installer also includes Chapter 4, Installing the MySQL Startup Item and Chapter 5, Installing and Using the MySQL Preference Pane, both of which simplify the management of your installation.
OS X server includes a version of MySQL as standard. If you want to use a more recent version than that supplied with the OS X server release, you can make use of the package or tar formats. For more information on using the MySQL bundled with OS X, see Chapter 6, Using the Bundled MySQL on OS X Server.
For additional information on using MySQL on OS X, see Chapter 7, General Notes on Installing MySQL on OS X.