How can the use of functions like mysql_numrows improve the efficiency and accuracy of PHP scripts for database operations?

Using functions like mysql_numrows can improve the efficiency and accuracy of PHP scripts for database operations by providing a simple way to determine the number of rows returned by a query. This information can be used to validate the results of a query, loop through the results, or make decisions based on the number of rows returned. By accurately counting the number of rows, developers can ensure that their scripts are working as expected and avoid potential errors.

// Connect to the database
$conn = mysqli_connect("localhost", "username", "password", "database");

// Perform a query
$query = "SELECT * FROM table";
$result = mysqli_query($conn, $query);

// Check the number of rows returned
$num_rows = mysqli_num_rows($result);

// Loop through the results
if ($num_rows > 0) {
    while ($row = mysqli_fetch_assoc($result)) {
        // Process each row
    }
} else {
    echo "No results found.";
}

// Close the connection
mysqli_close($conn);