Better to open/close?

Anon

if I don't use persistent connections is it better to close a mysql database connection as soon as I am done with it and then reopen/close it later in the script when I need to access it again?

For example I have an entry page where I do a lookup for an existing record right at the beginning. The user then spends some time filling out the form and when he/she hits submit it either inserts a new record or updates an exisiting one.
So should I connect to the DB only right at the beginning and then leave it open until the insert/update occurs or would it be better to close it right after the lookup and then connect again to just do the insert/update?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts

Serge

bastien

generally that is the best way...it reduces the load on the server and allows for more concurrent connections...there is no point to holding the connection open if there is no activity...

The one way this is not true is if COM objects are used through Microsoft Transaction Server. This method uses connection pooling to hold one connection open all the time and add and remove others as needed...

hth

Bastien