difference between syb_nsql and prepare/execute call

[perl@1983]

Hi, I am using DBI and DBD::Sybase to connect to Sybase database. I have seen that to execute a SQL statement or make a stored proc call, some of the programmers use syb_nsql ($SQL,"HASH") like method while some use prepare($SQL), $sth->execute() syntax. I was wondering what is the difference between those two? Which one is better? Thanks

[TomDLux]

I always use prepare(), execute(), or at least selectall_hashref().

What does the DBD-Sybase documentation say?

[sundialsvc4]

I would guess that the former is some kind of low-level call that is specific to Sybase, whereas the second is “ordinary DBI syntax.”   As others have suggested, look at the DBD driver documentation.   If the programmers that you speak of are available, go and ask them.

[perl@1983]

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, the programmers I asked didn't have much clarity on this as well. :(

[mpeppler]

syb_nsql() was added to provide a compatible call with Sybase::CTlib and Sybase::DBlib, and to simplify porting perl code between the two. The call was added at the request of a rather large organization that uses a lot of perl/Sybase :-)

Personally I use prepare/execute/fetch...

Michael

[elwarren]

If you prepare() then execute(), you have the option of executing the same statement multiple times without preparing again. A simple optimization that can add up when updating many records.

The syb_nsql combines these steps into one, as well as offering additional functionality with callbacks. Docs cover this better than I can explain it.

[perl@1983]

I already checked the documentation at cpan, but could not understand clearly. So, do you mean to say that syb_nsql is better?

[Anonymous Monk]

I don't know about you, but I read that as saying there are trade-offs.