PHP 5.1 features a new data access layer, PHP Data Objects (PDO), that provides a clear, simple (but powerful), unified API for working with all our favorite databases. Features include prepared statements with bound parameters (for all databases, even those that don't natively support them), transactions, LOBs, and flexible error handling. In this session you'll learn how to effectively employ PDO to talk to MySQL and create high performance, more secure, and more convenient PHP applications.