mysql_ deprecated

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);

It's not just `mysql_num_rows()`. It is _all of_ the `mysql_*()` functions, `mysql_connect(), mysql_query(), etc...` — Michael Berkowski, Mar 08 '13 at 12:22
Not only `*_num_rows` is deprecated, **the entire mysql_** extension is. Read: http://www.php.net/manual/en/mysqlinfo.api.choosing.php — deceze, Mar 08 '13 at 12:22
WOW I pretty much have to re write everything in my current systems. Thank you guys — Brobina, Mar 08 '13 at 12:23
@OliverB You have some time to get it done, but it is unwise to write any new code with the old API. — Michael Berkowski, Mar 08 '13 at 12:24
I am also glad that my univeristy took £30k of my money to teach me functions i should not use. — Brobina, Mar 08 '13 at 12:29
Whoa! I wish a could get a hold of the lesser sum for all that *real* education I provide for thousands stackoverflow users. — Your Common Sense, Mar 08 '13 at 12:46
@OliverB You don't have to rewrite your entire system. You can keep it as is. Just do it for new code. — Aziz Saleh, Mar 21 '14 at 19:50

score 8 · Accepted Answer · edited Mar 08 '13 at 12:23

8

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

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_*().

edited Mar 08 '13 at 12:23

Michael Berkowski

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answered Mar 08 '13 at 12:21

John Woo

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score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Mar 08 '13 at 12:33

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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

answered Mar 08 '13 at 12:33

EM-Creations

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using mysqli_query() is no better than mysql_query() – Your Common Sense Mar 08 '13 at 12:34
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@YourCommonSense mysqli_query() is not deprecated. That's the point. – EM-Creations Mar 08 '13 at 12:40
Do I need to install something to make `mysqli_*` work? – Pars Nov 04 '13 at 06:44
@aliA You need to make sure the MySQL Improved extension is included with the package of PHP you've got. – EM-Creations Nov 15 '13 at 16:50

score 1 · Answer 3 · edited May 23 '17 at 12:18

1

If you understand the idea of database abstraction libraries, use safemysql

$data = $db->getAll($query,$param1,$param2);
$rows = count($data);

If using raw API functions is more familiar to you, use PDO

$stm = $pdo->prepare($query);
$stm->execute(array($param1,$param2));
$data = $stm->fetchAll();
$rows = count($data);

Note 2 important things:

requested data already stored in the $data variable.
every dynamical query part (i.e. inserted variables) have to be inserted via placeholder

edited May 23 '17 at 12:18

Community

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answered Mar 08 '13 at 12:40

Your Common Sense

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Thank you for your notes, very useful. PDO is now my new baby. – Brobina Mar 08 '13 at 16:02

score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Mar 08 '13 at 12:22

Via php.net/mysql_num_rows manual

mysql_num_rows

This extension is deprecated as of PHP 5.5.0, and will be removed in the future. Instead, the MySQLi or PDO_MySQL extension should be used. See also MySQL: choosing an API guide and related FAQ for more information. Alternatives to this function include:

mysqli_stmt_num_rows()

PDOStatement::rowCount()

score 0 · Answer 5 · answered Mar 08 '13 at 12:23

0

As at the offical mysql_num_rows function description mentioned you might use Mysqli or PDO_MYSQL as an alternative.

answered Mar 08 '13 at 12:23

simplyray

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score 0 · Answer 6 · edited May 23 '17 at 10:29

0

don't use mysql_* functions in new code.

They are no longer maintained and are officially deprecated. See the red box? Learn about prepared statements instead, and use PDO or MySQLi -this article will help you decide which.

If you choose PDO, here is a good tutorial

edited May 23 '17 at 10:29

Community

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answered Mar 08 '13 at 12:23

Nirav Ranpara

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This almost automated response is pretty annoying and doesn't properly answer the question. – EM-Creations Mar 08 '13 at 12:29

mysql_ deprecated

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