need to upgrade mysql 3.23 to 4.0x
rpm gives error dependencies
perl-dbd needs libmyssqlclient.10.so
when I try to upgrade mysql 3.52 it gives me more dependency errors..
what is the method to dealing with dependencies. I
or what files do I need to try and install in this case?

If you are using Mandrake or Red Hat why not try Apt4RPM? It will resolve all the dependencies. In fact, if you're using Mandrake you should do it via URPMI.

well I download apt4rpm and run
rpm -Uvh apt*
it says
failed dependencies:
apt-server is needed by apt44rpm-0.64.4-1
perl-xml-libxml is needed by apt4rpmXX

this is the same problem... if I install apt-server or perl-xml I will most likely get more dep errors?

all to install apt which I am unsure of what exactly it is going to do for me.

rpm -Uvh apt* will upgrade apt*. If this is a fresh install you need rpm -ivh apt*.

Installing apt will allow you to go to a console, switch to root (using su), type in apt-get install <whatever> and it will then download and install the package. If there are other files it needs to install your program, it will download and install them too. This saves the bother and hassle of you going off to find them yourself. I'd suggest you go to http://apt4rpm.sourceforge.net/ and read up on the program.

When I installed my first act was to type in apt-get install synaptic - you get a nice gui and there's no real typing to do.