!db_connect - or die which is better

Question

Hi,

really quick question

please look at the following example

$dbConnect = mysql_connect($host , $username , $password) or die ("BIT OF A PROBLEM PLEASE COME BACK LATER");

is this a good way to do it or should I maybe use

$dbConnect = mysql_connect($host , $username , $password);
    if(!$dbConnect)
    {
        echo "COULD NOT CONNECT !!";
    }
    else
    {
        echo "CONNECTED !!";
    }

If you could explain which way is best it would be a great help too.

also to add I have error_reporting(0); set

thanks

Answer 1

The second is 2000-times more preferable to the first. In the first method all the user will see is a blank page with the text "BIT OF A PROBLEM..." - not very user friendly.

With the second method you could do whatever you like, such as send an automated e-mail to support staff while re-directing users to a nicely presented error page telling them you've been notified of the problem and working on it etc. If you have a second server you could also try connecting to that one as well before giving up completely.