Should I Explicitly Close MySQL Connections in PHP for Optimal Performance?

Importance of Closing MySQL Connections for Efficiency

Closing MySQL connections plays a significant role in maintaining the efficiency of your database operations and server performance.

Automatic Closure of Connections

The PHP documentation states that when a PHP script ends, the connection to the MySQL server is automatically closed unless explicitly closed with the mysql_close() function. This implies that if a script performs minimal processing after fetching the result set, closing the connection may not be necessary.

Benefits of Explicit Closing

However, in situations where your script performs significant processing after retrieving the result set, it is recommended to explicitly close the connection. Failure to do so can lead to:

• Resource Exceeding: If connections remain open unnecessarily, the MySQL server may reach its connection limit, especially during heavy usage.
• Improved Efficiency: By explicitly closing connections, you release resources and allow the server to handle new connections more efficiently.

Impact of FastCGI

The impact of FastCGI on connection handling is unclear. Some sources suggest that PHP builds supporting FastCGI establish persistent connections, even for mysql_connect. However, it is generally recommended to close connections explicitly with mysql_close() or use PDO, if available, for optimal performance.

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