mysql_ deprecated [duplicate]

Question

I have been told that the mysql_ extension is now deprecated in the current version of PHP and will be removed at some point.

What should I use instead of this and how?

For nearly all my queries I use it.

For example:

$result = mysql_query($query);

if (!$result) die ("Database access failed: " . mysql_error());

$rows = mysql_num_rows($result);

Answer 1

According to the PHP Manual, you should use any of the following:

• mysqli_stmt_num_rows()
• PDOStatement::rowCount()

To be clear though, neither of these is a mere substitute for mysql_num_rows(). Your code must eventually be rewritten entirely to use the MySQLi or PDO API in lieu of mysql_*().

Answer 2

Personally, I now use the MySQL Improved extension.

If you choose to use it in the procedural way it can be used in a very similar manner to how you're currently using the old MySQL extension.

Example (MySQL):

$result = mysql_query($query);

if (!$result) die ("Database access failed: " . mysql_error());

$rows = mysql_num_rows($result);

Example (MySQL Improved):

$result = mysqli_query($query);

if (!$result) die ("Database access failed: " . mysqli_error());

$rows = mysqli_num_rows($result);

However, I use MySQL Improved in an object orientated manner.

More information can be found here: http://www.php.net/manual/en/book.mysqli.php