Introduction
As of PHP 7, the mysql_*
functions have been removed. Applications that still use these functions need to be updated or face compatibility issues. One solution is to use php7-mysql-shim
, a library that provides a compatibility layer allowing the use of mysql_*
functions in PHP 7 by mapping them to their mysqli_*
equivalents.
What is php7-mysql-shim?
php7-mysql-shim
is a PHP library designed to provide a drop-in replacement for the deprecated mysql_*
functions. This allows legacy applications to run on PHP 7 and newer versions without requiring a complete rewrite of database interactions.
Benefits of Using php7-mysql-shim
- Seamless Transition: Allows legacy applications to run on modern PHP versions without extensive refactoring.
- Minimal Changes: Requires only the inclusion of the shim library, leaving existing codebase largely untouched.
-
Cost-Effective: Saves time and resources that would otherwise be spent on rewriting code to use
mysqli
orPDO
.
Installation
You can install php7-mysql-shim
via Composer, a dependency manager for PHP.
Step-by-Step Installation
Install Composer:
If you don't already have Composer installed, you can install it by following the instructions at getcomposer.org.Require php7-mysql-shim:
Navigate to your project directory and run the following command to addphp7-mysql-shim
to your project:
composer require doozie-akshay/php7-mysql-shim
- Include the Shim in Your Code: Add the following line at the beginning of your PHP scripts, ideally in a configuration file that is included in all your scripts:
require 'vendor/autoload.php';
Example Usage
Original Code Using mysql_*
Functions
Here’s an example of legacy code using mysql_*
functions:
// config.php
$db_host = 'localhost';
$db_user = 'root';
$db_password = '';
$db_name = 'test';
// Establish connection
$connection = mysql_connect($db_host, $db_user, $db_password);
if (!$connection) {
die('Could not connect: ' . mysql_error());
}
mysql_select_db($db_name, $connection);
// check_user.php
include_once('config.php');
$query = "SELECT * FROM users WHERE username = 'example_user'";
$result = mysql_query($query, $connection);
if (!$result) {
die('Query failed: ' . mysql_error());
}
if (mysql_num_rows($result) > 0) {
echo "User exists.";
} else {
echo "User does not exist.";
}
mysql_close($connection);
Modified Code with php7-mysql-shim
After installing php7-mysql-shim
, you only need to include the autoload file:
// config.php
require 'vendor/autoload.php';
$db_host = 'localhost';
$db_user = 'root';
$db_password = '';
$db_name = 'test';
// Establish connection
$connection = mysql_connect($db_host, $db_user, $db_password);
if (!$connection) {
die('Could not connect: ' . mysql_error());
}
mysql_select_db($db_name, $connection);
// check_user.php
include_once('config.php');
$query = "SELECT * FROM users WHERE username = 'example_user'";
$result = mysql_query($query, $connection);
if (!$result) {
die('Query failed: ' . mysql_error());
}
if (mysql_num_rows($result) > 0) {
echo "User exists.";
} else {
echo "User does not exist.";
}
mysql_close($connection);
Error Handling
php7-mysql-shim
aims to provide full compatibility with the mysql_*
functions, including error handling and other nuances. Ensure your existing error handling code remains effective without modification.
Conclusion
php7-mysql-shim
provides a straightforward and effective solution for running legacy PHP applications that use mysql_*
functions on PHP 7 and newer versions. By installing the shim and including it in your project, you can avoid extensive rewrites and ensure compatibility with modern PHP versions, allowing for a smooth transition and continued application functionality.
Top comments (0)