closing connection

[pohopo]

I just started PHP and want to make sure i am working with the database in the most efficient way. So say I have a page that calls three queries in different areas of the page. Which way is better:

A: I open a connection right before each query and close it right after.

B: opening a connection in the beginning then using that same connection to call each query and then closing the connect at the very end of the page.

My experience is that A is the best way to do it, though I am not sure if maybe PHP works a little different and B is better. Any thoughts?

[eoghain]

The only reason I can see for you wanting to do A was if you had limited connections to your database available and your script took a long time to run. B is the better way to do this, and is actually how things are probably working in the background even with you trying to close the connection after every query. Opening a connection is much more intensive than just using an open connection.

[pohopo]

thanks eoghain. i did some extra research and it seems that method B is the best. how about pconnect, do you use that?

[eoghain]

I have used pconnect, but I havn't seen any difference in performance when using it vs. using just connect. My guess is that there would be some performance improvment on large sites or sites with a lot of traffic, but I've never worked with sites that needed that kind of performance.

[devinemke]

many host (including mine) have limits on the number of allowed hourly connections which is definitley a reason NOT go to with method A.