Mysql Connections

[loll]

I have just been reading an article about how to save on db connections (http://jpipes.com/index.php?/archives/99-MySQL-Connection-Management-in-PHP-How-Not-To-Do-Things.html)

I am all for saving on connections but I dont really understand their reasonings and procedure.

When I code, I place one db connect at the top of the page and then I do my queries. But in their connection they first check to see if the connection already exists. Isnt this redundant when using mysql_connect? Since the connection closes at the end of the script, shouldnt that mean that there will never be an available connection when you go to a page? or should I be adding this sort of connection checking in to my scripts?

Wondered what you guys thought about it.

[rincewind456]

From what I understand of the article it is pointing out that connections are made when they are not needed, that by slavishly including your db connection include on every page is wastefull in the number of needless connections.

So only calling the connection routine when it is needed is a good idea.