What are the potential pitfalls of using text files instead of a database like mySQL for storing and retrieving data in PHP?

One potential pitfall of using text files instead of a database like mySQL for storing and retrieving data in PHP is that text files can be slower and less efficient for handling large amounts of data. Additionally, text files do not offer the same level of security and data integrity features that databases provide, making them more vulnerable to data corruption or loss. To address these issues, consider using a database management system like mySQL for better performance, security, and scalability.

// Example of connecting to a mySQL database in PHP
$servername = "localhost";
$username = "username";
$password = "password";
$dbname = "myDB";

// Create connection
$conn = new mysqli($servername, $username, $password, $dbname);

// Check connection
if ($conn->connect_error) {
    die("Connection failed: " . $conn->connect_error);
}
echo "Connected successfully";