How are database transactions handled in PHP?

When using the OCI Extension Module, PHP will commit whenever ociexecute() returns successfully. One can control this behaviour by specifying OCI_COMMIT_ON_SUCCESS (the default) or OCI_DEFAULT as the second parameter to the ociexecute() function call. OCI_DEFAULT can be used to prevent statements from being auto-committed. The OCICommit() and OCIRollback() functions can then be used to control the transaction.

Note that when OCI_DEFAULT is used on any statement handle, it is inherited by the other statement handles for the connection. You cannot use a mix of autocommit/explicit commit on the same connection handle. If you want to do that you need to use ociNLogon() to get a separate handle.

The ORA Extension Module supports an autocommit mode. Use the ORA_CommitOn() and ORA_CommitOff() functions to toggle between autocommit mode and normal mode. When in normal mode (ORA_CommitOff), one can use the ORA_Commit() and ORA_Rollback() functions to control transactions.

If one doesn't commit or rollback at the end of a script, PHP will do an implicit commit. This is consistent with the way SQL*Plus works.