====== prepare ======
~~NOTOC~~
<WRAP info>
Support for this function is limited. See the [[v5:database:feature_comparison]].
</WRAP>
<WRAP right box 250px>
== See Also ==
[[v5:reference:connection:preparesp]]\\
[[v5:reference:connection:execute]] for an explanation of the bind variables
== Syntax ==
  mixed prepare (
      string $sql
  )
  
</WRAP>

===== Description =====
The method ''prepare()'' prepares an SQL statement. 
  * If the database supports prepared statements and the statement is valid the method return a resource 
  * If the database supports prepared statements and the statement is invalid the method returns false.
  * If the database does not support prepared statements, the method returns a string containing the SQL statement (see below).

-------------------------------------
===== Usage =====
<code php>
/*
* Connection to Oracle database
*/

$handle = $db->prepare('SELECT * FROM customers WHERE customer_no=?');

$bindVariables = array(0=>100);

/*
* Execute the prepared statement
*/
$result = $db->execute($handle, $bindVariables);
</code>

For compatibility purposes, if the database does not support prepared statements, the SQL statement is returned into the ''$handle'' variable. When sent to the ''execute()'' function,  The statement will be parsed to include the variables, and the statement will execute the same as if passed without parameters, and as if the DBMS supported prepared statements.