Which database patterns (ORM, DAO, Active Record, etc.) to use for small/medium projects?

Question

I writing real estate web site with basic function for choosing and ordering realty.

It is small/simple project, but I want to write it in way, so in future I, or other developers, can turn it into medium business app without rewriting it from scratch.

So what kind of patterns could you advice me to use for dealing with database?

For now I have this:

class db_DBConnection
{
    // basic singleton pattern here...
}

// primary class to be extende by other table DAOs
abstract class db_Table
{
protected $table;
protected $order_by;

/**
 * Executes specified query with prepared statements
 * returns statement object, which can fetch data.
 * 
 * @param $sql - SQL query to execute
 * @param $params - bind values to markers through associative arrays
 */
protected function executeQuery($sql, $params = null)
{
    $dbh = db_DBConnection::getConnection();
    $stmt = $dbh->prepare($sql);
    // binds values to markers and executes query
    $stmt->execute($params);
    return $stmt;
}

/**
 * @param id - id of row to retrieve from database
 *
 * It sends SQL query and id to executeQuery
 * function returns associative array, representing
 * database row.
 */
public function find($id)
{
    $sql = 'SELECT * FROM ' . $this->table . ' WHERE id=:id LIMIT 1';
            // bind id
    $params = array( ':id' => $id );
    // execute and return associative array
    return $this->executeQuery($sql, $params)->fetch(PDO::FETCH_ASSOC);
}

public function findAll($quantity, $where)
{
// Returns array of
// associative arrays of table rows :)
// TODO: write this function
}

abstract protected function insert();

abstract protected function update();

abstract protected function delete();

    // ...

Answer 1

The best way would be to use an ORM, like Doctrine. It might seem a little too much for smaller type project, but it pays off in a long run.

It is better to use standard ways of doing things, instead of reinventing your own.

Here is a list of ORMS from Wikipedia.

Also you need to evaluate your project, creating project freestyle might not be a very good idea. Other developers will have to learn your code and understand how it works, etc... It is better to use well know frameworks like Zend Framework, Symphony or Cake. You can also look into expandable CMS systems like Joomla and Drupal.