Oracle 5.0 Reference Manual page 2253

API supports Stored
Procedures
API supports Multiple
Statements
API supports
Transactions
Transactions can be
controlled with SQL
Supports all MySQL
5.1+ functionality
20.7.1.4. Choosing a library
Copyright 1997-2012 the PHP Documentation Group. [2230]
The mysqli, PDO_MySQL and mysql PHP extensions are lightweight wrappers on top of a C client
library. The extensions can either use the
library is a compile time decision.
The mysqlnd library is part of the PHP distribution since 5.3.0. It offers features like lazy connections
and query caching, features that are not available with libmysqlclient, so using the built-in mysqlnd
library is highly recommended. See the
features and functionality that it offers.
Example 20.14. Configure commands for using mysqlnd or libmysqlclient
// Recommended, compiles with mysqlnd
$ ./configure --with-mysqli=mysqlnd --with-pdo-mysql=mysqlnd --with-mysql=mysqlnd
// Not recommended, compiles with libmysqlclient
$ ./configure --with-mysqli=/path/to/mysql_config --with-pdo-mysql=/path/to/mysql_config --with-mysql=/
Library feature comparison
It is recommended to use the
(libmysqlclient). Both libraries are supported and constantly being improved.
Part of the PHP distribution
PHP version introduced
License
Development status
Lifecycle
PHP 5.4 compile default (for all
MySQL extensions)
PHP 5.3 compile default (for all
MySQL extensions)
Compression protocol support
SSL support
Named pipe support
Overview of the MySQL PHP drivers
ext/mysqli
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
mysqlnd library or the
mysqlnd documentation
mysqlnd library instead of the MySQL Client Server library
MySQL native driver
(mysqlnd)
Yes
5.3.0
PHP License 3.01
Active
No end announced
Yes
No
Yes (5.3.1+)
Yes (5.3.3+)
Yes (5.3.4+)
2233
PDO_MySQL
Yes
Most
Yes
Yes
Most
libmysqlclient
for additional details, and a listing of
MySQL client server library
(libmysqlclient)
No
N/A
Dual-License
Active
No end announced
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
ext/mysql
No
No
No
Yes
No
library. Choosing a