MySQLi : the PHP MySQL database connector

1. Key Features
2. Tutorials list on MySQLi
3. When Not to use MySQLi
4. When to use MySQLi

Key features and benefits of using MySQLi 🔝

1. Object-oriented and Procedural Interfaces: MySQLi provides both object-oriented and procedural interfaces, offering flexibility in coding styles.
2. Prepared Statements: With prepared statements, MySQLi allows for safe parameterized queries, preventing SQL injection attacks and improving query performance.
3. Multiple Statements: MySQLi enables executing multiple SQL statements within a single query, reducing database round-trips and enhancing efficiency.
4. Transaction Support: You can use transactions with MySQLi to group multiple SQL queries as a single unit, ensuring data integrity and consistency.
5. Stored Procedure Support: MySQLi enables you to call and work with stored procedures in your MySQL database.
6. Enhanced Security: MySQLi provides improved security features compared to the deprecated MySQL extension, making it a safer choice for database interactions.
7. SSL Support: MySQLi supports encrypted connections using SSL, ensuring secure data transfer between the application and the database server.
8. Support for Large Result Sets: MySQLi supports fetching large result sets from the database, making it suitable for handling extensive data.
9. Improved Error Handling: MySQLi offers better error handling and reporting capabilities, making it easier to diagnose and resolve database-related issues.

Tutorials handling Query using MySQLi 🔝

MySQLi Functions 🔝

When not to use MySQLi 🔝

1. Non-MySQL Databases: MySQLi is specifically designed for MySQL databases. If you are working with a different database system like PostgreSQL, Oracle, or Microsoft SQL Server, you should consider using the appropriate database extension or a database abstraction layer like PDO (PHP Data Objects) that supports multiple database systems.
2. PHP Version Compatibility: MySQLi is supported in PHP versions 5.0 and later. However, if you are working on a project that requires compatibility with very old PHP versions (before PHP 5.0), you may need to use the older mysql extension or a different approach.
3. New Projects and PDO: For new projects, it is worth considering using PDO (PHP Data Objects) instead of MySQLi. PDO is a database abstraction layer that supports multiple database systems, offering a consistent API. PDO allows you to switch between different database systems without changing much of your code, providing greater flexibility and future-proofing your application. ( Note that hardly we change the Database )
4. Legacy Code and Compatibility: If you are working with an existing codebase that relies heavily on the deprecated mysql extension, migrating directly to MySQLi might not be the best approach. In such cases, you could consider gradually refactoring your code to use MySQLi or PDO over time.
5. Personal Preference and Project Requirements: Sometimes, the choice between MySQLi and PDO may come down to personal preference, team familiarity, or specific project requirements. Both extensions have their strengths and are capable of handling most database tasks effectively, so it's essential to weigh the pros and cons based on your project's unique needs.

When to use MySQLi 🔝

• MySQL-Specific Features: MySQLi is designed specifically for MySQL databases, allowing it to support advanced MySQL features like multi-query execution, asynchronous queries, and prepared statements with enhanced functionality for MySQL.
• Slightly Better Performance for MySQL: Since MySQLi is optimized for MySQL, it may offer better performance in certain cases compared to PDO, especially when working with large datasets or specific MySQL optimizations.
• Easier for Beginners Working Exclusively with MySQL: If you're only working with MySQL databases and don’t need the cross-database compatibility of PDO, MySQLi can be easier to learn and use.
• Object-Oriented and Procedural Support: MySQLi provides both object-oriented and procedural programming interfaces, offering flexibility depending on the coding style preferred by developers.
• MySQL Native Functions: MySQLi can leverage MySQL native functions that PDO lacks, like accessing native MySQL functions, which can be useful for developers who need these specific capabilities.

Subhendu Mohapatra

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