Question

Is it better to use INSERT, REPLACE or ON DUPLICATE KEY UPDATE, to update a row in my database?

I’m currently using:

mysql_query("insert into pages (pages_id, pagename, pagedesc, pagekey, pagecont) values('$pages_id', $pagename', '$pagedesc', '$pagekey', '$pagecont')");

to create new rows in the DB.

pages_id is an auto_increment field in the mysql database. I’m not sure which is the best way to update an existing row in the database?

Answer 1

If you are updating an existing row (and you’re 100% sure it exists), definitely go for UPDATE.

BUT

If you are “updating” a row which may not exist, go for “INSERT…ON DUPLICATE KEY UPDATE”.