What steps should be taken to handle errors when using mysql_query in PHP?

When using mysql_query in PHP, it is important to handle errors properly to ensure the stability and security of your application. One way to handle errors is to check the return value of mysql_query for false, which indicates an error occurred. You can then use mysql_error to retrieve the error message and take appropriate action, such as logging the error or displaying a user-friendly message.

$query = "SELECT * FROM users";
$result = mysql_query($query);

if(!$result) {
    $error = mysql_error();
    // Handle the error, such as logging or displaying a message
} else {
    // Process the query result
}