What is difference between the new mysqli and mysqli_connect?
I know that executing a query is different;
for example: mysqli->query() and mysqli_query()
Why are there two different types, what is the need for the difference?
One is for Procedural style programming and other is for OOP style programming. Both serve the same purpose; Open a new connection to the MySQL server
OOP Style usage
$mysqli = new mysqli('localhost', 'my_user', 'my_password', 'my_db');
Procedural Style usage
$link = mysqli_connect('localhost', 'my_user', 'my_password', 'my_db');
Reference: PHP Manual
Answer：
Right on @Hanky Panky. I’d also add to that the PHP docs:
http://www.php.net/manual/en/mysqli.construct.php
Note:
OO syntax only: If a connection fails an object is still returned. To
check if the connection failed then use either the
mysqli_connect_error() function or the mysqli->connect_error property
as in the preceding examples.
So error handling is just one difference.
Answer：
I just found a subtle but interesting difference between the two.
If you encounter a connection error with mysqli_connect (like $connection = mysqli_connect()), no mysql info will be returned to the $connection variable. As such, you will not be able to identify the error with myqli_errno($connection).
However if you encounter a connection error using new mysqli (like $connection = new mysqli()), the mysql info WILL be returned and you can check the error with $connection->connect_errno.
Knowing this, I’d opt for new mysqli.
Oops… Just saw answer from Rick Buczynski and realized after posting that I’m restating what he said, but his reply is more informative.
