PHP MySQLi mysqli_init() - Connection Initialization

mysqli_init()

The mysqli_init() function initializes MySQLi and returns an object, which is then used with the mysqli_real_connect() function. This is a more advanced way of establishing a connection, allowing you to set additional options before the connection itself.

EXAMPLE

<?php
// 1. Object initialization (preparing an empty structure)
// NOTE: The mysqli_init() function creates an empty connection without immediately connecting 
// to the server. This allows us to set advanced options (e.g., SSL encryption or timeouts) before 
// the actual connection. Only then do we establish the real connection.
$connection = mysqli_init();

if (!$connection) {
    die("mysqli_init failed");
}

// 2. Establishing the actual connection
if (!mysqli_real_connect($connection, "localhost", "root", "", "mysqli_database")) {
    die("Connection error: " . mysqli_connect_error());
}

echo "Connection via mysqli_init() was successfully established.";

mysqli_close($connection);
?>

RESULT

The result will be displayed here...

Practical use: This approach is essential when you want to set special parameters before connecting, such as timeouts or SSL certificates. Take a look at how we prepare the object:

Creates an "empty" connection object without connecting immediately.

Allows using the mysqli_options() function before establishing a connection with the database.

It is always used together with mysqli_real_connect().