Can't connect to local MySQL server through socket '/var/lib/mysql/mysql.sock' (2)

I am getting the following error when I try to connect to mysql:

Can't connect to local MySQL server through socket '/var/lib/mysql/mysql.sock' (2)

Is there a solution for this error? What might be the reason behind it?

service mysqld start

Then, try the one of the following following:

(if you have not set password for mysql)

mysql -u root

if you have set password already

mysql -u root -p

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http://stackoverflow.com/questions/4448467/cant-connect-to-local-mysql-server-through-socket-var-lib-mysql-mysql-sock