Syntax for querying a DB

[mwstewart]

I've been wondering for a while what is the best syntax to query the DB:

 

Is it the shorthand way:

<?php 
$rsUnactivated=mysql_fetch_assoc(mysql_query("SELECT * FROM tblUsersUnactivated WHERE ActivationID = '$_GET[activationid]' "));
?>

 

Or the 'longhand' way:

<?php $sql = "SELECT * FROM tblUsersUnactivated WHERE ActivationID = '$_GET[activationid]' ";
$query = mysql_query($sql);
$resultSet = mysql_fetch_assoc($query)?>

 

Which is better and why?

[rcorlew]

I use longhand. I have found that you may need to setup another query again and if the sql is already loaded then you can just write another query. Rembe to always close your sql link at the end of each script.