MySQL Newbie: Running in UNIX

I would like to try out MySQL on my UNIX account (Solaris). I DO NOT HAVE root privilieges in UNIX. I only have a normal user privilege. I have installed MySQL on my user UNIX account. Looks like I get the Server going and can also get the status from the Server. But, I get an error msg

C Interface on Windows XP

I have MySQL installed on my Windows XP machine. No problems. I have seen examples of MySQL interfacing with C in the UNIX environment. I can install Visual C++ on my XP machine. Is it possible to interface any such Windows-based C/C++ compiler with MySQL? Any examples? Thanks.