syntax

[ruach]

When going through tutorials and samples of other people code I have noticed a small variance in mysql_query syntax. In some cases a @ symbol is placed before a mysql function, but I cannot tell any difference that it makes being there. Here is an example:

$sql = "SELECT * FROM monkeys";
$result = @;
while( $row = @mysql_fetch_array($result) ){
//do something
}

verses:

$sql = "SELECT * FROM monkeys";
$result = mysql_query;
while( $row = mysql_fetch_array($result) ){
//do something
}

Can some one please tell me the difference between the two practices and why one would be perferred in a given situation.

thanks

[gottes_tod]

from manual:
"..You can suppress the error message on failure by prepending a @ to the function name..."

[ruach]

thanks

[[deleted]]

" and why one would be perferred in a given situation"

The @ sign supresses error MESSAGES.

Beware! if you use the @ sign for functions, you will not be notified when it fails.

Only use the @ sign if you have some alternative error-checking, or when you really don't care about wether the function worked or not. (and you never ever don't care)