I am getting an Error 2002 when installing Mysql
 

I am going through the process of installing snort on my Redhat 9 box. Im setting up the MySql database now and when i give the command /usr/local/mysql/bin/mysql it gives me the error message: "ERROR 2002: Can't connect to local MySQL server through socket '/tmp/mysql.sock' (2)"
What does this mean? I also cant find my .bash_profile file to alter it. Does it really work just to make one in /root?