RE: [PHP] Close A Databse Connection

Hi, The question was about the use of mysql_close. Use it or not (not when to use it or when not to). So far: > Agreed... you should always "clean up after yourself." > PHP will close the connection automatically will be closed and all > information cleared. > I advised a newbie to > always use mysql_close() to close the connection to the database. It's > good form and will cover any ills where the database connection fails to > close for some other reason (say the user stops the page from loading > after the connection is made). 2 says use it 1 says no. From my read of docs I'd say not to use it. I use the Perl DBI with Apache::DBI and it simply overrides the DBI disconnect so calling a disconnect is only a waste of minimal time and typing when using it. So, in PHP there are also 2 types of connections: mysql-pconnect mysql_connect Well if you are using mysql-pconnect then you would "rarely" use mysql_close() as the docs say Using mysql_close() isn't usually necessary, as non-persistent open links are automatically closed at the end of the script's execution. See also freeing resources. __end quote Okay, so when, when using a persistent connection would I use mysql_close()? http://www.php.net/manual/en/function.mysql-pconnect.php says "Second, the connection to the SQL server will not be closed when the execution of the script ends. Instead, the link will remain open for future use (mysql_close() will not close links established by mysql_pconnect())." See the above url for information from user comments about cutting down idle connections. I think it's safe to say one would not use mysql-close() when using mysql-pconnect, although I wonder about the cost of doing that. http://www.php.net/manual/en/function.mysql-close.php says > Using mysql_close() isn't usually necessary, as non-persistent open > links are automatically closed at the end of the script's execution. It seems to me better to err on the side of caution and use mysql_close(). If you are using a persistent connection then the call to mysql_close() should be overridden but I've got no clue if it's done that way. Seems to be related to opening and closing a file. In Perl the file will close when the script exits and that's fine for quick stuff but once a script begins to grow it allows for bugs. I vote to suggest use of mysql_close(). Peter