Example of how to use bind_result vs get_result

I would like to see an example of how to call using bind_result vs. get_result and what would be the purpose of using one over the other.

Also the pro and cons of using each.

What is the limitation of using either and is there a difference.

Solution

Although both methods work with * queries, when bind_result() is used, the columns are usually listed explicitly in the query, so one can consult the list when assigning returned values in bind_result(), because the order of variables must strictly match the structure of the returned row.

Example 1 for `$query1` using `bind_result()`

$query1 = 'SELECT id, first_name, last_name, username FROM `table` WHERE id = ?';
$id = 5;

$stmt = $mysqli->prepare($query1);
/*
    Binds variables to prepared statement

    i    corresponding variable has type integer
    d    corresponding variable has type double
    s    corresponding variable has type string
    b    corresponding variable is a blob and will be sent in packets
*/
$stmt->bind_param('i',$id);

/* execute query */
$stmt->execute();

/* Store the result (to get properties) */
$stmt->store_result();

/* Get the number of rows */
$num_of_rows = $stmt->num_rows;

/* Bind the result to variables */
$stmt->bind_result($id, $first_name, $last_name, $username);

while ($stmt->fetch()) {
    echo 'ID: '.$id.'<br>';
    echo 'First Name: '.$first_name.'<br>';
    echo 'Last Name: '.$last_name.'<br>';
    echo 'Username: '.$username.'<br><br>';
}

Example 2 for `$query2` using `get_result()`

$query2 = 'SELECT * FROM `table` WHERE id = ?'; 
$id = 5;

$stmt = $mysqli->prepare($query2);
/*
    Binds variables to prepared statement

    i    corresponding variable has type integer
    d    corresponding variable has type double
    s    corresponding variable has type string
    b    corresponding variable is a blob and will be sent in packets
*/
$stmt->bind_param('i',$id);

/* execute query */
$stmt->execute();

/* Get the result */
$result = $stmt->get_result();

/* Get the number of rows */
$num_of_rows = $result->num_rows;

while ($row = $result->fetch_assoc()) {
    echo 'ID: '.$row['id'].'<br>';
    echo 'First Name: '.$row['first_name'].'<br>';
    echo 'Last Name: '.$row['last_name'].'<br>';
    echo 'Username: '.$row['username'].'<br><br>';
}

bind_result()

Pros:

Works with outdated PHP versions
Returns separate variables

Cons:

All variables have to be listed manually
Requires more code to return the row as array
The code must be updated every time when the table structure is changed

get_result()