MySQL with PHP (PDO)

Last reviewed Jun 1, 2026 Content v20260601

Track mode

sql_sandbox

Means

SQL sandbox

Reading

~1 min

Level

intermediate

This lesson

This lesson teaches MySQL with PHP (PDO): the SQL patterns, schema habits, and query reasoning you need before advancing in MySQL.

PDO charset and strict SQL mode must match production MySQL or migrations fail at deploy.

You will apply MySQL with PHP (PDO) in contexts like: WordPress, Laravel, and shared hosting—MySQL is the default database behind millions of PHP deployments.

Copy MySQL SQL into the mysql client, local MySQL/MariaDB, or DB Fiddle (MySQL dialect)—use DESCRIBE and EXPLAIN where lessons show them. The in-browser lab ships later; mysql client is the practice path now.

Toward the end—consolidate before MariaDB notes, interview prep, and production checklist.

PDO with prepared statements is the modern API—never concatenate user input into SQL on PHP apps.

Prepared statement

prepare('SELECT id, name FROM products WHERE price < ?');
$stmt->execute([10]);
foreach ($stmt as $row) { /* ... */ }

Practice: Review in local or staging only.

Error mode

$pdo->setAttribute(PDO::ATTR_ERRMODE, PDO::ERRMODE_EXCEPTION);

Important interview questions and answers

Q: PDO vs mysqli?
A: PDO supports multiple DB drivers and named parameters style.
Q: SQL injection?
A: Prepared statements bind user data separately from SQL text.

Self-check

Why ATTR_ERRMODE EXCEPTION?
How bind price parameter?

Tip: PDO prepared statements for all user input.

Interview prep

Prepared statements?: Separate SQL structure from user data—stops injection.
ERRMODE_EXCEPTION?: Surfaces DB errors as exceptions.

Discussion

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Starter discussion topics

Prepared stmts?
ERRMODE?

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