What’s the Difference Between mysqli_result::fetch_column and mysqli_fetch_row? Use Each Efficiently

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<p></span><?php<br>
/*</p>
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<p>What’s the difference between mysqli_result::fetch_column and mysqli_fetch_row?</p>
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<p>Using the right one improves efficiency</p>
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<p>When using PHP to connect to a MySQL database, developers commonly handle</p>
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<p>result sets using either mysqli_result::fetch_column or mysqli_fetch_row.</p>
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<p>Although both can retrieve data from query results, they have fundamental differences.</p>
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<p>Understanding these differences helps choose the most suitable method,</p>
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<p>improving code efficiency and readability.<br>
*/</p>
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<p>/**</p>
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<p>What is mysqli_result::fetch_column?</p>
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<p>This is a method of the mysqli_result object used to get a single value</p>
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<p>from a specified column in the result set.</p>
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<p>It takes a parameter indicating the column index to retrieve, defaulting to 0 (the first column).</p>
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<p>Best suited when only a single column value is needed.<br>
*/</p>
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<p>/**</p>
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<p>2. What is mysqli_fetch_row?</p>
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<p>This is a mysqli function used to fetch the next row from the result set.</p>
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<p>It returns an indexed array containing all column values of the current row.</p>
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<p>Ideal when you need to retrieve an entire row of data.<br>
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<p>/**</p>
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<p>3. Key Differences</p>
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<p>Return type:</p>
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 fetch_row returns the entire row as an array.

 fetch_column is suitable for quickly extracting a field value, such as counts or IDs.

 fetch_row is better for handling multiple fields in business logic.

 fetch_column is more efficient and uses less memory when only one column is needed.

 fetch_row has higher processing cost since it returns the whole array.

*/

/**

• 4. Simple Example Comparison
  */

// Assume a query has been executed, and $result is a mysqli_result object

// Using fetch_column
$value = $result->fetch_column(0); // Get the first column value

// Using fetch_row
$row = mysqli_fetch_row($result); // Get the whole row as an array

/**

• 5. Summary

• The choice between fetch_column and fetch_row depends on actual needs:

• • Use fetch_column for a single column value: concise and efficient.

• • Use fetch_row for multiple columns or the entire row: more suitable.

• Understanding and using them flexibly results in clearer, better-performing code.
  */
  ?>

<?php
// End-of-article unrelated code example
echo "Article content display completed.";
?>

• Related Tags:

  mysqli_result