I'm looking for a reliable and efficient PHP library for MySQL. I feel frustrated with the cumbersome process of using mysqli directly. What I really need is a library that provides ActiveRecord support and easily handles error information without complicated workarounds or unnecessary repetitions. In your professional opinion, is there a PHP library that meets these requirements and is widely used in the development community?

Additionally, I want to avoid the overhead of implementing a full-fledged framework like Yii2, as it contains numerous features that I don't currently need. At the same time, I'm not inclined to create my own library from scratch. Can you provide insights into alternative solutions that could be beneficial in this scenario?

In my professional opinion, the PHP library that I recommend for handling MySQL databases with ActiveRecord support and streamlined error handling is the "Doctrine" library.
Doctrine is a widely used PHP library that provides an Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) layer for working with databases, including MySQL. It offers excellent support for ActiveRecord, allowing you to map database tables to PHP objects and perform database operations using an intuitive and object-oriented interface. With built-in error handling mechanisms, Doctrine simplifies the process of handling errors without the need for complicated workarounds or repetitive code.

One of the key advantages of using Doctrine is its popularity and widespread adoption in the PHP development community. This means that you can benefit from a wealth of resources, documentation, and community support when using this library in your projects.

Now, considering your preference to avoid the overhead of a full-fledged framework like Yii2, but still wanting to leverage the benefits of established libraries, I would suggest exploring the "Slim Framework." Slim is a lightweight PHP micro-framework that provides essential features for building web applications without the bulk of larger frameworks. It allows you to selectively integrate components such as the Doctrine library for database interaction, giving you the flexibility to tailor the stack to your specific project requirements.

By using Slim with the Doctrine library, you can strike a balance between the lightweight nature of the framework and the robust database capabilities provided by the ORM functionality. This approach will enable you to build efficient and scalable web applications while avoiding unnecessary features of more comprehensive frameworks.
I believe that leveraging the Doctrine library within the Slim Framework would be a beneficial solution for your scenario. It aligns with your need for a reliable and efficient PHP library for MySQL while avoiding the overhead of a full-fledged framework. If you have any further questions or need assistance with implementing these solutions, feel free to ask for more detailed insights.

There exists a PDO (PHP Data Objects) which is the library you might be interested in. It can be found at php.net/manual/intro.pdo.php. One of its advantages is that it supports SSL if needed. Additionally, it comes with default settings, making it quite convenient to use.

In addition to PDO, I would recommend looking into Eloquent, which is part of the Laravel framework. It's known for its user-friendly interface and offers both a query builder and an Active Record ORM for database interactions.

It's crucial to make the decision on whether to opt for a fully assembled car or a box of spare parts to assemble a car. When developing a library for interacting with a database management system (DBMS), it is essential that it strictly focuses on providing functionalities for working with the DBMS and SQL, without incorporating additional features. The Active-Record should be positioned as a layer above, and the query builder should be treated as a separate entity.

One prevalent mistake made by creators of libraries is bundling everything together, which often results in a tangled mess.