?️ PHP MySQL PDO – Prepare Method

? Quick Overview

The PDO prepare() method is used to create SQL statements that can be safely executed multiple times with different values. It enhances performance and provides strong protection against SQL injection.

? Key Concepts

Prepared statements separate SQL logic from data.
Parameters are bound at execution time.
The same statement can be reused efficiently.

? Syntax & Theory

The prepare() method returns a prepared statement object. Parameters are represented using placeholders, which are replaced securely during execution.

? Code Example

? View Code Example

// Establish database connection using PDO
setAttribute(PDO::ATTR_ERRMODE, PDO::ERRMODE_EXCEPTION);

// Prepare SQL statement with named placeholders
$stmt = $pdo->prepare("INSERT INTO users (name, email) VALUES (:name, :email)");

// Execute prepared statement with secure values
$stmt->execute([':name' => 'John Doe', ':email' => 'john@example.com']);

echo "Record inserted successfully!";
} catch(PDOException $e) {
echo "Error: " . $e->getMessage();
}
?>

?️ Live Output / Explanation

When executed successfully, the script inserts a new record into the database and displays a confirmation message. If an error occurs, it is safely handled using exception handling.

? Interactive / Visual Explanation

This flow illustrates how prepared statements work:

SQL statement is prepared once.
Values are bound securely.
Statement is executed safely.

? Use Cases

User registration forms
Login and authentication systems
Secure data insertion and updates
Dynamic queries with user input

✅ Tips & Best Practices

Always use prepared statements for user input.
Prefer named placeholders for better readability.
Enable exception mode for easier debugging.

? Try It Yourself

Create a table and insert multiple rows using one prepared statement.
Experiment with positional placeholders (? instead of names).
Modify the script to fetch and display data securely.