Answer
mysqli supports only MySQL; PDO supports multiple databases and provides better abstraction.
Quick Answer
mysqli is MySQL-specific. PDO supports 12+ database drivers (MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, etc). PDO uses a consistent API regardless of database. mysqli has both procedural and OOP API. PDO uses only OOP. Both support prepared statements. Choose PDO for portability and consistency. Use mysqli only when you need MySQL-specific features like multiple result sets.
S
SugharaIQ Editorial Team
Verified Answer
This answer has been peer-reviewed by industry experts holding senior engineering roles to ensure technical accuracy and relevance for modern interview standards.
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Source: SugharaIQ