title: MySQL persistent connections and advantages of mysql_pconnect?
body: <p>I had never heard of persistent connections before, and I don't understand the advantages.</p>
  
  <p>I run a PHP/MySQL based website, it receives tens of thousands of page views per day. In my header file on each of these pages I have just used <code>mysql_connect()</code> and I haven't bothered with terminating the connection in the footer file.</p>
  
  <p>In my case are there any advantages of using <code>mysql_pconnect()</code>?</p>