MySQLi:A Comprehensive Guide to MySQL Database Connectivity（mysqlimysql）
MySQLi, or MySQL Improved, is an object-oriented, database-driven programing language that is used to create and maintain database applications. It is designed to provide faster SQL processing and better security, as well as the ability to run different database drivers. MySQLi is supported by all versions of MySQL and is included in the latest versions of PHP.
MySQLi is a powerful database tool and its popularity continues to grow as more developers recognize its value. It enables database connectivity by way of PHP (or another scripting language). The structure of MySQLi requires that the programmer use SQL queries as part of the database programming, which allows it to be more secure and provide more detail in data management.
To begin programming with MySQLi, one must initially set up a connection to a database. This is done with the help of a connection string, which is an SQL statement with the host IP address. Database credentials, such as the username and password, must also be provided. Once a connection is established, one can start to execute SQL queries via the MySQLi object.
The next step is to encode the data that needs to be inserted or updated in the database in the form of an SQL query document. This document is then passed to the MySQLi object. The newly encoded document is then prepared and the data will be stored in the targeted database.
MySQLi also allows the programmer to create prepared statements that can be used repeatedly in queries. This can be a useful tool to optimize coding, maintain data types, and to prevent malicious attacks. To take advantage of prepared statements, one must first write the query document in the form of a PHP string. Once the string is written, the MySQLi object can compile the statement and template it for execution.
Once a query is compiled and executed, the MySQLi object can be used to retrieve the results in a few ways. The most common way is to fetch the results as an array or an associated array. It can also be used to fetch a single row or an individual column from the database. Finally, the mysql_num_rows() function can be used to fetch the number of rows returned from the query.
MySQLi is a powerful and versatile tool for connecting to and manipulating a database. While it can take some time to understand the syntax and differences between the various types of queries available, with some practice and experience it can become an invaluable tool for database maintenance and data management projects.
