UTF-8 Database Problem

Question

I\'ve a MySQL table that has a UTF-8 charset and upon attempting to insert to it via a PHP form, the database gives the following error:

PDOStatement:

Answer 1

Your database might be set to UTF-8, but the database connection also needs to be set to UTF-8. You should do that with a SET NAMES utf8 statement. You can use the driver_options in PDO to have it execute that as soon as you connect:

$handle = new PDO("mysql:host=localhost;dbname=dbname",
    'username', 'password', 
    array(PDO::MYSQL_ATTR_INIT_COMMAND => "SET NAMES utf8"));

Have a look at the following two links for more detailed information about making sure your entire site uses UTF-8 appropriately:

• UTF-8 all the way through…
• UTF8, PHP and MySQL