Codeigniter: Using PDO instead of mysql

Question

Until Codeigniter implements the use of PDO, is there a way to use hack it into CI that's stable and secure? Currently, instead of using the db driver, I'm using a model instead which has all my PDO code like prepare, fetch, execute, etc. in it. What are the rest of you doing?

Using C.I's built in functions. CI is known for its speed and lightness, whats your reason on not using it?. — tomexsans, Feb 14 '12 at 21:19
C.I. doesn't use PDO at all? What do they use for portability? Does the MySQL adapter really use `mysql_*()` functions? — Mike B, Feb 14 '12 at 21:21
I'm pretty sure CodeIgniter uses PDO under the hood. EDIT: The MySQLi driver uses `mysqli_*`. They have a [PDO Driver](https://github.com/EllisLab/CodeIgniter/blob/develop/system/database/drivers/pdo/pdo_driver.php) you can use. EDIT2: Check [this question](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/8743943/codeigniter-pdo-integration). — gen_Eric, Feb 14 '12 at 21:35
For portability CI has an abstract DB API (`CI_Database`) with db-specific functionality implemented in drivers. The MySQL driver uses `mysql_*`. There are also `MySQLi` and `PDO` drivers. None of them use prepared statements because parameter-placeholder escaping is done by CI already. — Francis Avila, Feb 14 '12 at 21:41

score 9 · Answer 1 · edited Jun 09 '16 at 18:32

9

On CodeIgniter 2.1.4+ using MySQL databases (Edit the file: /application/config/databases.php).

To use PDO:

$db['default']['hostname'] = 'mysql:host=localhost';
$db['default']['dbdriver'] = 'pdo';

To use MySQLi

$db['default']['hostname'] = 'localhost';
$db['default']['dbdriver'] = 'mysqli';

edited Jun 09 '16 at 18:32

Nate

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answered Feb 05 '14 at 04:22

Thiago Pereira

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With CodeIgniter 3+, you now have to use `$db['default']['hostname'] = 'mysql:host=localhost;dbname=database_name';` or you get en error stating "No database selected". – SteeveDroz Mar 03 '19 at 06:29

score 8 · Answer 2 · edited Aug 10 '16 at 05:38

$active_group = 'default';
$query_builder = TRUE;

$db['default'] = array(
    'dsn'   => 'mysql:host=127.0.0.1; dbname=****yourdatabasename*****; charset=utf8;',
    'hostname' => '',
    'username' => 'root',
    'password' => '******yourpassword*******',
    'database' => '',
    'dbdriver' => 'pdo',
    'dbprefix' => '',
    'pconnect' => FALSE,
    'db_debug' => (ENVIRONMENT !== 'production'),
    'cache_on' => FALSE,
    'cachedir' => '',
    'char_set' => 'utf8',
    'dbcollat' => 'utf8_general_ci',
    'swap_pre' => '',
    'encrypt' => FALSE,
    'compress' => FALSE,
    'stricton' => FALSE,
    'failover' => array(),
    'save_queries' => TRUE
);

score 4 · Answer 3 · answered Jun 19 '13 at 14:11

4

Using PDO drivers instead of mysql require to change the hostname and the dbdriver like this :

$db['default']['hostname'] = 'mysql:host=localhost';
$db['default']['dbdriver'] = 'pdo';

answered Jun 19 '13 at 14:11

Mathieu F.

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cwallenpoole · Answer 4 · 2012-02-14T21:45:55.830

3

CI, if used correctly, is both reliable and safe. Using PDO, while better if you are not using a framework, doesn't necessarily benefit you terribly over the CI_Database class.

If it really bothers you, you can swap out the mysql_*() functions for the equivalent mysqli_*() functions, but it really won't provide any discernable difference unless you are hyper-optimizing.

It should be noted that this can actually be done automatically by setting the dbtype appropriately (as Rocket notes below).

edited Feb 14 '12 at 21:45

answered Feb 14 '12 at 21:38

cwallenpoole

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On a side note: I will say that the fact that the signatures are slightly different between CI's DB class and the PDO interface to be annoying, but not nearly as annoying as the difference between Mysqli and PDO. – cwallenpoole Feb 14 '12 at 21:40
4

Just set the dbtype to `mysqli` in CodeIgniter's config. Then it'll use the mysqli functions instead of the mysql ones. – gen_Eric Feb 14 '12 at 21:41
@Rocket That is a very good point. I was not aware of that option. – cwallenpoole Feb 14 '12 at 21:45
PDO is nice for stuff like Sentry. – Rob Grant Feb 26 '14 at 14:34

score 0 · Answer 5 · answered Apr 03 '13 at 10:51

Just a follow up to anyone having this same issue (including my future self), please ensure that whichever dbdriver you are loading has the correct library loaded in php.ini

$db['default']['dbdriver'] = 'mysqli'; //MySQLi <-- mysqli.dll
$db['default']['dbdriver'] = 'mysql'; //MySQL <-- mysql.dll
$db['default']['dbdriver'] = 'pdo'; //PDO <-- pdo.dll

Failure to load the correct dll will cause CodeIgniter to fail with a blank page.

score -1 · Answer 6 · answered Feb 14 '12 at 21:31

-1

try php-activerecord I believe this use's PDO driver, its a simple plug and play via sparks.

answered Feb 14 '12 at 21:31

Philip

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Codeigniter: Using PDO instead of mysql

6 Answers6