mysql - mysql_connect: IP Address or Localhost? -

mysql - mysql_connect: IP Address or Localhost? -

i saw following statement on stackoverflow , wondering meaning:

if connect via 'localhost', connection automatically established via mysql socket, inexpensive anyways.

the give-and-take thread pretty old, didn't want comment on it. understand is, using 'localhost' when connecting mysql database has advantages - such "automatically established connections via mysql socket". mean exactly?

currently i'm using mysql_connect("73.21.24.201", [...]); (changed random ip address) create difference? can alter "localhost" without having worry it? (the mysql server on same server/ip address website/application)

when connect 'localhost' you'll connect using unix socket, communications channel local processes use. big advantage of can disable networking completely in mysql, , negate processing overhead , security risks go along that.

when mysql starts, creates socket file (typically @ place /var/lib/mysql/mysql.sock) client programme needs able find. on typical php (you didn't say, i'm assuming) setup, should know find socket. if not, check /etc/my.cnf , /etc/php.ini create sure values match.

and finally, if php, stop using mysql_*() functions in php right now! they have been deprecated years , inefficient , insecure.

mysql sockets