Using mysql_real_escape_string without connecting to mysql

I have a file of my own functions that I include in many places. One of them uses mysql_real_escape_string, however, it may be called in a context that will or will not connect to a mysql server, and worse, may already be connected. So I must avoid connecting. However, when I run the script without connecting I get this error: Warning: mysql_real_escape_string() [function.mysql-real-escape-string]: Access denied for user: 'nobody@localhost' (Using password: NO) I was thinking about checking if there is a connection, and if not then connecting. This seems redundant to me, however. What is the list's opinion of this situation? Thanks in advance. Dotan Cohen http://what-is-what.com http://gibberish.co.il א-ב-ג-ד-ה-ו-ז-ח-ט-י-ך-כ-ל-ם-מ-ן-נ-ס-ע-ף-פ-ץ-צ-ק-ר-ש-ת A: Because it messes up the order in which people normally read text. Q: Why is top-posting such a bad thing?