Beyond `die()`: What Are the Best Practices for Handling MySQLi Errors?

Handling MySQLi Errors: Is "die()" the Only Option?

It's common for developers to use the "or die()" syntax when executing MySQLi queries:

$update_result = mysqli_query( $link , $sql_update_login ) or die ('Unable to execute query. '. mysqli_error($link));

However, this approach has numerous drawbacks:

• Security risk: It reveals internal system information to potential attackers.
• Confusing for users: Non-technical users may not understand error messages.
• Abrupt script termination: It leaves users without a user-friendly interface.
• Difficult debugging: "Die()" provides no information about where the error occurred.

Alternative Solutions to "or die()":

Rather than using "die()", consider these options:

1. MySQLi Exceptions: Configure MySQLi to throw exceptions on errors:

mysqli_report(MYSQLI_REPORT_ERROR | MYSQLI_REPORT_STRICT);
$result = mysqli_query($link, $sql);

If an error occurs, an exception will be thrown, allowing you to handle it gracefully.

2. Custom Error Logging: Create a custom function to log errors to a separate table:

function log_error($query, $error) {
    // Code to log the error...
}
$update_result = mysqli_query( $link , $sql_update_login );
if (!$update_result) { log_error($_sql_update_login, mysqli_error($link)); }

3. User Notifications: Inform users of errors without terminating the script. You can use user-friendly messages or display a form for the user to provide more information.

Remember, "die()" should never be used for error handling in production environments. By utilizing the alternative solutions discussed here, you can ensure secure, user-friendly, and debuggable error handling for your MySQLi applications.

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