Classes versus Libraries

[jazee]

I'm curious how many people use classes versus function libraries? I've always create function libraries for my apps and haven't used classes. I'm wondering if there is really any huge advantage in using classes and in what typical real world cases they provide such a huge advantage. Seems like one of the main reasons for using them (aside from code portability) is to be able to say your code is object oriented. I mean I know the technical differences, but I'm wondering about the practical REAL WORLD benefits achieved through going this route. I'm also trying to get a feel for what percentage of PHP programmers use classes (out of curiosity).

[drawmack]

I use both.

I look at it like this. A bunch of related tools without a common object, like data scrubbing functions, should all be in the same file but not in a class as there is not really a single object they work on.

On the other hand if I have an object, let's say a database table, then I create a class that contains the methods and values for this object and those methods use the functions in my error checking library.

[tbach2]

Both for me, too.

I use classes in any project that uses a database, because that's how I access the database. (I have to think about how to write examples using mysql_connect() etc.)

I also have some functions that are standalone and don't need to be in an object.