The sample in Chapter 1 represents a simple example of how the OCI8 functions can be used to interact with Oracle. However, besides OCI8, there are some other ways for Oracle and PHP to interact with each other. For example, you may choose from a number of open-source libraries such as PEAR DB and ADOdb, which provide a level of data abstraction. You might also create a set of your own PHP functions on top of the OCI8 extension to encapsulate its low-level functionality.
However, it is important to realize that using another level of data abstraction can simplify the development process, but using direct database calls made through the OCI8 functions allows you to take full advantage of the Oracle database features and build faster and more reliable applications. That is why, in the examples throughout this book, the OCI8 extension is used as the primary way to communicate with an Oracle database.
This chapter covers the basics of using the PHP OCI8 extension...