select @@global.back_log; @@global.back_log 50 select @@session.back_log; ERROR HY000: Variable 'back_log' is a GLOBAL variable show global variables like 'back_log'; Variable_name Value back_log 50 show session variables like 'back_log'; Variable_name Value back_log 50 select * from information_schema.global_variables where variable_name='back_log'; VARIABLE_NAME VARIABLE_VALUE BACK_LOG 50 select * from information_schema.session_variables where variable_name='back_log'; VARIABLE_NAME VARIABLE_VALUE BACK_LOG 50 set global back_log=1; ERROR HY000: Variable 'back_log' is a read only variable set session back_log=1; ERROR HY000: Variable 'back_log' is a read only variable