How can the use of print_r() in PHP help in debugging and identifying issues with data retrieval from a database?

When retrieving data from a database in PHP, it can sometimes be challenging to identify issues with the retrieved data. Using the print_r() function can help by displaying the structure and contents of the data, making it easier to pinpoint any errors or inconsistencies. By using print_r() to output the database query results, developers can quickly analyze the data and troubleshoot any issues that may arise. 

// Perform a database query to retrieve data
$query = "SELECT * FROM table_name";
$result = mysqli_query($connection, $query);

// Check if the query was successful
if ($result) {
    // Fetch and display the data using print_r()
    while ($row = mysqli_fetch_assoc($result)) {
        print_r($row);
    }
} else {
    echo "Error: " . mysqli_error($connection);
}

Keywords

print_r debugging data retrieval database PHP

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