When faced with challenges in executing DELETE queries in MySQL, what are some best practices for troubleshooting and refining the query to achieve the desired result?

When faced with challenges in executing DELETE queries in MySQL, one best practice for troubleshooting is to double-check the syntax of the query, ensuring that the table name and conditions are correct. Additionally, it is helpful to test the query using a SELECT statement first to verify that it is targeting the correct rows for deletion. Refining the query can involve adding more specific conditions or using LIMIT to delete rows in smaller batches.

<?php
// Example of troubleshooting and refining a DELETE query in MySQL
$servername = "localhost";
$username = "username";
$password = "password";
$dbname = "database";

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

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

// Example of a DELETE query with troubleshooting and refinement
$sql = "DELETE FROM table_name WHERE condition = 'value'";

// Check if query is valid
if ($conn->query($sql) === TRUE) {
  echo "Record deleted successfully";
} else {
  echo "Error deleting record: " . $conn->error;
}

// Close connection
$conn->close();
?>