mysql_fetch_array, mysql_fetch_assoc, mysql_fetch_object

Question

The functions are all very similar:

mysql_fetch_array(), mysql_fetch_assoc(), mysql_fetch_object()

I have recently started using mysql_fetch_object as I am doing alot more OOP with PHP.

But what are peoples opinions on which one is best to use and why, and maybe which scenario they are best to be used in.

Thanks for your thoughts!

Answer 1

mysql_fetch_array will get you an array that can have as keys :

• both numbers and names of columns, if using MYSQL_BOTH
• columns names, using MYSQL_ASSOC -- in this case, you'll get the same thing you get when using mysql_fetch_assoc
• only numbers (depending on the order of columns in the query), if using MYSQL_NUM

Getting results indexed by columns names is probably the most useful solution -- easier to use, at least.

But getting results indexed by the positions of the fields in the select clause is interesting in one situtation : when you have several columns that have the same name or alias.
In this case, as you cannot have two entries with the same index in an array, you will be able to access only one of those columns using the column name as index.
For the other columns that have the same name, you'll have to use numeric indexes.

That situation is probably the only case for which I would use mysql_fetch_array -- and I rather prefer using aliases in my query, to avoid that situation -- it's more clear, in my opinion.

mysql_fetch_assoc will get you an array, with columns names as keys, and data as values.

Not much to say, actually.

And mysql_fetch_object will get you objetcs in return.

Choosing between mysql_fetch_assoc and mysql_fetch_object most probably depend on how you develop your application : if using objects everywhere, the second one is probably the most suited.

If using arrays as data-containers, you can just go with the first one.