Whats the best way to get total # of records in a mysql table with php?

Question

Whats the most efficient way of selecting total number of records from a large table? Currently, Im simply doing

$result = mysql_query(\"SELECT id FROM table         


        

Answer 1

mysqli_query() is deprecated. Better use this:

$result = $dbh->query("SELECT id FROM {table_name}");
$total = $result->num_rows;

Using PDO:

$result = $dbh->query("SELECT id FROM {table_name}");
$total = $result->rowCount();

(where '$dbh' = handle of the db connected to)

Answer 2

MyISAM tables already store the row count

SELECT COUNT(*) FROM table

on a MyISAM table simply reads that value. It doesn't scan the table or the index(es). So, it's just as fast or faster than reading the value from a different table.

Answer 3

According to the MySQL documentation this is most efficient if you're using a MyISAM table (which is the most usual type of tables used):

$result = mysql_query("SELECT COUNT(*) FROM table");

Otherwise you should do as Wayne stated and be sure that the counted column is indexed.

Answer 4

Just wanted to note that SHOW TABLE STATUS returns a Rows column, though I can't speak to its efficiency. Some light Googling turns up reports of slowness in MySQL 4 over two years ago. Might make for interesting time trials.

Also note the InnoDB caveat regarding inaccurate counts.

Answer 5

You were told correctly. mysql can do this count for you which is much more efficient.

$result = mysql_query( "select count(id) as num_rows from table" );
$row = mysql_fetch_object( $result );
$total = $row->num_rows;

Answer 6

Use aggregate function. Try the below SQL Command

$num= mysql_query("SELECT COUNT(id) FROM $table");