re-configure without restart

[Robin Bowes]

Here's a quickie:

Is there any way to update the configuration options of MySQL without   
shutting down and re-loading?

I'd like to up the value for tmp_table_size without re-starting the   
server.

Is this possible?  If so, how?

R.
 --
Robin Bowes, System Development Manager, Equal Opportunities Commission,
Room 405A, Overseas House, Quay St., Manchester, M3 3HN, UK.
Tel: [phone]  Fax: [phone]

Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to hide the
bodies of the people I had to kill because they pissed me off  - Anon.