MySQL versus MySQLi

[eluser]dmorin[/eluser]
Can someone please explain the advantages of the MySQL versus MySQLi drivers? From what I've found, MySQLi is just a new and improved interface, but are their real advantages anyone uses? I saw one benchmark where it was slower than standard MySQL.

Thanks.

[eluser]nmweb[/eluser]
Prepared statements come to mind but there should be plenty information on this issue on the internet.

[eluser]Seppo[/eluser]
Native OOP, multi-query functions... I think it also supports better the new mysql server version... php functions related to transactions, and many other new...
Probably, inside CI framework, both will do almost the same thing, 'cause you wont deal with their native face, but a common interface.