Enlist the features of PHQL

  • It secures the code using bound parameters.
  • It prevents injection by executing one SQL statement per call.
  • It ignores all comments which mostly used in SQL injections.
  • It only allows data manipulation statement to execute.

PHQL (Phalcon Query Language) is a specialized query language provided by the Phalcon PHP framework for database operations. When asked about the features of PHQL in a Phalcon interview, you might want to mention the following:

  1. SQL-like Syntax: PHQL syntax closely resembles SQL, making it familiar and easy for developers who are already familiar with SQL.
  2. Security: PHQL helps prevent SQL injection attacks by automatically escaping values passed to queries, thus enhancing the security of your application.
  3. Object-Oriented Approach: PHQL supports object-oriented features such as inheritance, composition, and polymorphism, allowing developers to write more expressive and maintainable queries.
  4. Abstraction Layer: PHQL provides an abstraction layer over SQL, allowing developers to write database queries without having to directly interact with SQL syntax. This makes the codebase more portable and easier to maintain.
  5. Ease of Use: PHQL simplifies complex database queries by providing a more expressive and intuitive syntax compared to raw SQL, reducing the amount of boilerplate code required.
  6. Performance: PHQL is optimized for performance, and Phalcon’s ORM (Object-Relational Mapping) translates PHQL queries into efficient SQL queries, resulting in faster database operations.
  7. Cross-Database Compatibility: PHQL supports various database systems including MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, and others, making it a versatile choice for developing database-driven applications.
  8. Query Builder: PHQL includes a query builder that allows developers to construct complex queries programmatically using an object-oriented interface, facilitating dynamic query generation.
  9. Custom Functions and Aggregations: PHQL supports custom functions and aggregations, enabling developers to extend its functionality according to their specific requirements.
  10. Integration with Phalcon ORM: PHQL seamlessly integrates with Phalcon’s ORM, allowing developers to leverage the benefits of both PHQL and ORM features such as data mapping, relationships, and automatic table creation.

Highlighting these features demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of PHQL and its advantages for database operations within the Phalcon PHP framework.