Why Should I Avoid Using mysql_* Functions in PHP?

The Dangers of Using mysql_* Functions in PHP

Despite their functionality, the mysql_* functions in PHP are strongly discouraged due to significant technical limitations:

• Deprecation and Removal: The MySQL extension is no longer under active development and has been officially deprecated since PHP 5.5. It was removed entirely in PHP 7.0, meaning it is not present in any supported versions of PHP.
• Lack of OO Interface: mysql_* functions require a procedural approach and do not have an object-oriented interface.

• Limited Functionality: Compared to other SQL extensions, mysql_* functions lack support for numerous modern features, including:

  • Non-blocking, asynchronous queries
  • Prepared statements or parameterized queries
  • Stored procedures
  • Multiple statements
  • Transactions
  • The "new" password authentication method
  • New functionality introduced in MySQL 5.1 and later
• Security Concerns: Using deprecated extensions increases vulnerability to security exploits as they are not actively maintained or updated.
• Escape Vulnerability: The absence of prepared statements makes it more challenging to securely escape and quote external data, increasing the risk of SQL injection attacks.

It is highly recommended to use alternative SQL extensions, such as mysqli or PDO, which provide improved functionality, security, and code maintenance.

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