title: mysqldump always returns "option '--tables' cannot take an argument"
body: <p>I am trying to backup a mysql database using mysqldump command, but the message I get is <em>mysqldump: option '--tables' cannot take an argument</em>.</p>
  
  <p>Here you are:</p>
  
  <pre><code>root@myhost:~# mysqldump mydatabase --user myuser --password mypassword
  Warning: Using unique option prefix table instead of tables is deprecated and will be removed in a future release. Please use the full name instead.
  mysqldump: option '--tables' cannot take an argument
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>I have tryed several argument combinations, but I finally discovered that the result is the same if I just try to get the command version or event with no arguments at all:</p>
  
  <pre><code>root@myhost:~# mysqldump --version
  Warning: Using unique option prefix table instead of tables is deprecated and will be removed in a future release. Please use the full name instead.
  mysqldump: option '--tables' cannot take an argument
  root@myhost:~# mysqldump
  Warning: Using unique option prefix table instead of tables is deprecated and will be removed in a future release. Please use the full name instead.
  mysqldump: option '--tables' cannot take an argument
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>As you can see in the following lines, it is <strong>mysql server 5.5 running on debian 7</strong>.</p>
  
  <p>System version:</p>
  
  <pre><code>root@myhost:~# uname -a
  Linux myhost 3.2.0-4-amd64 #1 SMP Debian 3.2.41-2+deb7u2 x86_64 GNU/Linux
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>mysql client version:</p>
  
  <pre><code>root@myhost:~# mysql --version
  mysql  Ver 14.14 Distrib 5.5.35, for debian-linux-gnu (x86_64) using readline 6.2
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>mysql server version:</p>
  
  <pre><code>root@myhost:~# mysql -h localhost --user=myuser --password=mypassword mydatabase
  Reading table information for completion of table and column names
  You can turn off this feature to get a quicker startup with -A
  
  Welcome to the MySQL monitor.  Commands end with ; or \g.
  Your MySQL connection id is 75
  Server version: 5.5.35-0+wheezy1-log (Debian)
  
  Copyright (c) 2000, 2013, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
  
  Oracle is a registered trademark of Oracle Corporation and/or its
  affiliates. Other names may be trademarks of their respective
  owners.
  
  Type 'help;' or '\h' for help. Type '\c' to clear the current input statement.
  
  mysql&gt; quit
  Bye
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>I have looked for this problem on the web, but I cannot see anyone reporting this precise issue. I am not an expert on mysql but I can say it is a very simple install. Should you need more information, please tell me.</p>
  
  <p>Thanks in advance,
  ivan</p>