Posted by Erwin Moller on 11/26/07 14:58

Jerry Stuckle wrote:
> Erwin Moller wrote:
>> pradeep wrote:
>>> Dear all,
>>>
>>> I want to know the difference between mysql_fetch_array() and
>>> mysql_fetch_row().
>>>
>>> I know that mysql_fetch_row() return data in numeric array while
>>> mysql_fetch_array() return data in numeric as well as in associative
>>> array.
>>>
>>> But my question is, why it returns in both format. Is it wastage of
>>> memory ?
>>> Why this wastage is necesarry ?
>>
>> Hi,
>>
>> The answer is simple, if you want an assoc array, you can use
>> mysql_fetch_array().
>>
>> I always prefer constructs like this in my code:
>> echo $row["firstname"];
>>
>> above
>>
>> echo $row[3];
>>
>> Since the former leaves you without doubt which column you are using.
>> And also: If you expand your query to get more columns, an index of an
>> array might easily get you confused.
>>
>> But if you like the array-indexes more, just use them.
>> I expect there must be less overhead involved when no assoc arrays are
>> created and returned.
>>
>> So as far as I can tell: it is not a waste of memory, but it offers
>> you the choice what you want:
>> 1) faster code/less IO (use only indexes)
>> 2) better readable/more robust code. (use assoc arrays)
>>
>> just my 2 cent.
>>
>> Regards,
>> Erwin Moller
>>
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance.
>>>
>>> BYe.
>>
>
> Erwin,
>
> The overhead in creating an associative array is negligible.
>

Hi Jerry,

I expected so much, but never actually measured it, since I always use
assoc retrieval of columns for clearity of code.
A task must be very daunting to optimize in this kind of way.

But thanks for the info. Now I know I'll never use indexed row
retrieval. ;-)

Regards,
Erwin

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