Mixing MySQL APIs in PHP: A Question of Compatibility

When working with MySQL in PHP, one often encounters the need to ensure both functionality and compatibility. This inevitably raises the question of whether mixing MySQL APIs is feasible.

Can MySQL APIs be Mixed?

The answer to this question is a clear no. While it may seem convenient to use both mysql_ and mysqli_, these functions belong to separate APIs. Their syntax and the resources they create are inherently incompatible.

Attempted Mixing and Its Consequences

The code snippets provided in the original inquiry illustrate attempts to mix these APIs. Although they appear valid, executing them results in errors:

• Attempting to close a mysqli_ connection with mysql_close() leads to a resource incompatibility warning.
• Conversely, closing a mysql_ connection with mysqli_close() produces a similar error.

Validating Connections

Verifying the validity of MySQL connections is crucial. The if(mysqli_connect_errno()) construct, as used in the code, serves this purpose. However, it is important to note that this construct is specific to the mysqli_ API and cannot be used to validate connections created with mysql_.

Conclusion

Mixing MySQL APIs, specifically mysql_ and mysqli_, is not recommended. It can lead to incompatibility issues and unreliable results. When connecting to MySQL, it is best to choose one API and consistently use its functions to avoid any potential complications.