Check MySQLi Installation and Support
Check whether MySQLi is available
Use extension_loaded() to verify that the MySQLi extension is available in the current PHP runtime.
<?php
if (extension_loaded('mysqli')) {
echo 'MySQLi is available';
echo '<br>Client: ' . mysqli_get_client_info();
} else {
echo 'MySQLi is not enabled';
}
?>Checking PHP Installation
Use phpinfo() function to get details of your PHP installation. You should able to read this part from the output.
Using function_exists to check mysqli support
if (function_exists('mysqli_connect')) {
echo "mysqli is installed";
}else{
echo " Enable Mysqli support in your PHP installation ";
}Download files to test your MySQLI support
How to enable MySQLi inside php.ini file
Open your php.ini file ( php configuration file ) inside your PHP directory ( or windows directory ) . Search for mysqli and enable the dll by removing ; before it. You may have to re-boot your system. Here is an image of two lines after removing ; inside php.ini file.
Example 2: Checking MySQLi Installation via PHP Script
You can verify MySQLi installation by running a simple PHP script. This script will confirm if the MySQLi extension is enabled:
<?php
if (function_exists('mysqli_connect')) {
echo "MySQLi is installed and working.";
} else {
echo "MySQLi is not installed.";
}
?>
Example 3: Testing a Connection to MySQL Database
Once installed, you can create a basic connection to the MySQL database using MySQLi:
<?php
$host = "localhost";
$user = "root";
$pass = "password";
$db = "test_db";
$connection = mysqli_connect($host, $user, $pass, $db);
if (!$connection) {
die("Connection failed: " . mysqli_connect_error());
}
echo "Connected successfully!";
?>
Configuration note
MySQLi must be installed and enabled by the PHP runtime or hosting environment. It cannot be enabled for the first time with ini_set() inside a script. On managed hosting, use the provider's PHP extension selector or contact the host; on your own server, install the matching PHP MySQL package and restart the relevant PHP/web service if required.
Additional Installation Tip: Installing MySQLi via Command Line
On systems you administer, install the MySQL extension package that matches your PHP version. Package names vary by operating system and repository; verify the package for your installed PHP version.
// For Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt-get install php-mysqli
Example 4: Enabling MySQLi in php.ini
Ensure that the MySQLi extension is enabled in your *php.ini* configuration file:
extension=mysqli
MYSQLI Functions mysqli_connect(): Connection string for MYSQLI
Subhendu Mohapatra
Author & Instructor at plus2net
I write and maintain practical tutorials on Python, PHP, SQL, JavaScript, HTML, jQuery, and web development at plus2net. The tutorials focus on clear explanations, working examples, and code that readers can test and adapt while learning.
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