What are the limitations of using a CSV file instead of a database for storing and retrieving data in PHP?

Using a CSV file instead of a database for storing and retrieving data in PHP can be limiting in terms of scalability, performance, and data integrity. CSV files are not optimized for efficient querying and updating of data, and they can become slow and unwieldy as the amount of data grows. Additionally, CSV files lack built-in mechanisms for enforcing data constraints and relationships between tables, which can lead to data inconsistencies. To address these limitations, consider using a database management system like MySQL or SQLite to store and manage your data. These systems offer better performance, scalability, and data integrity features compared to using CSV files.

// Example of connecting to a MySQL database using PDO in PHP
$servername = "localhost";
$username = "username";
$password = "password";
$dbname = "database";

try {
    $conn = new PDO("mysql:host=$servername;dbname=$dbname", $username, $password);
    $conn->setAttribute(PDO::ATTR_ERRMODE, PDO::ERRMODE_EXCEPTION);
    echo "Connected successfully";
} catch(PDOException $e) {
    echo "Connection failed: " . $e->getMessage();
}