Member Avatar for jam2010

Hi All,

Can anyone answer below question.

when to use use DBI; and when to use use DBD?

Thanks in advance

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by techieguy31

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As and noted, DBI is the generic Perl database interface and DBD::* modules are the driver implementations for specific databases. In real code you normally put use DBI; at the top and call DBI->connect("DBI:driver:..."). DBI will load the appropriate DBD::... module at runtime if that driver is installed; you only explicitly use DBD::... when you need driver-specific constants or to force the module to preload.

Practical notes:

  • Install the driver you need (for MySQL, DBD::mysql) via CPAN or your package manager. Many DBDs require the database client development libraries present before installation (for example, install libmysqlclient-dev on Debian/Ubuntu before building DBD::mysql).
  • To check a driver is available, try perl -MDBD::mysql -e1 (exit 0 if found) or print the module version.
  • If DBI->connect fails because the driver is missing, install the matching DBD and ensure the client libs and header files are present.

For authoritative reference read the DBI and driver docs on CPAN: DBI documentation and DBD::mysql documentation. Best practice is to write driver-agnostic DBI code (use placeholders, RaiseError for simple error handling, and avoid embedding driver-specific SQL unless necessary).

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Member Avatar for wickedxter

DBD::mysql is a driver that allows you to work with a mysql server and DBI module depends on that driver module...

Member Avatar for techieguy31

DBI is database access library, DBDs are drivers used by DBI to access particular database.

Edited by Ezzaral because: Snipped 'fake sig' link. Please restrict such links to your site-wide user signature, which can be edited from the user control panel.
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