Which is Better for MySQL Database Sanitization: addslashes or mysql_real_escape_string?

Comparing mysql_real_escape_string and addslashes for Database Sanitization

In PHP, addslashes and mysql_real_escape_string are two functions commonly used to sanitize data before submitting it to a database to prevent SQL injection vulnerabilities. While both functions aim to escape special characters within the data, they differ in the specific characters they escape and their intended use.

Functionality Comparison

addslashes primarily escapes the following characters:

• Single quote (')
• Double quote (")
• Backslash ()
• Null character (NULL byte)

On the other hand, mysql_real_escape_string not only escapes the characters covered by addslashes but also escapes the following:

• Line feed (LF)
• Carriage return (CR)
• Control-Z (EOF)

Significance of Additional Escaping Characters in mysql_real_escape_string

The additional characters escaped by mysql_real_escape_string are significant because they can cause issues when executing SQL queries. For example, line feeds and carriage returns may break the structure of the query, leading to unexpected behavior. Control-Z may trigger the end of the input stream prematurely, causing data truncation or errors.

Intended Use

mysql_real_escape_string is designed specifically for escaping data before submitting it to MySQL databases. It takes into account the escaping requirements of MySQL and ensures that the data is properly formatted for insertion or manipulation in MySQL queries.

addslashes, on the other hand, is a more general-purpose function that escapes characters commonly used in various contexts, including HTML and JavaScript. While it can be used for database sanitization, it may not be sufficient if the database being used has specific escaping requirements that are not covered by addslashes.

Conclusion

When dealing with MySQL databases, it is recommended to use mysql_real_escape_string over addslashes for data sanitization. mysql_real_escape_string provides a more comprehensive level of escaping that meets the specific requirements of MySQL, ensuring the security and integrity of your data.

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