OpenLampTech No. 174

APIs in the age of AI | SQL rename columns | MySQL JSON deep dive | Optimize a query using PHP | MariaDB DBaaS | SPAs in CakePHP | Critical PHP development mistakes

Mar 21, 2025

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All commentary is mine unless otherwise quoted.

E051-09, “Rename columns in the FROM clause”

I wasn't even aware this was in the SQL standard and it may be a more recent addition.

However, it does seem useful for certain queries.

From what I can tell, renaming columns in the FROM clause isn't supported (yet) across many SQL vendors. Or any of those I am familiar with.

[Modern SQL]

This Week At PHP Architect: Optimizing A Query

This is a good read with a practical example of a horrendous (as in size) query that has the application bogged down.

Basic query performance troubleshooting using the EXPLAIN command goes a long way.

In this particular case, the query was eventually run as 2 separate queries and joined back up with PHP. Something that could also be handled with SQL

[PHP Architect]

MariaDB reboots DBaaS plans with open source at the core

One thing I'll say about MariaDB, is that from what I can tell, it continues to push forward.

Even after a rocky IPO in the last couple of years, MariaDB is focusing more on open-source collaboration.

[The Register]

JSON in MySQL: The Ultimate Guide

JSON is everywhere. The more I work with APIs, the more I realize this.

There are limited instances where JSON data is stored in any of the MySQL databases I work (directly) with, in my current role.

However, MySQL is more than capable of working with JSON data.

MySQL even has a dedicated JSON data type, as do many other databases.

[Database Star/Ben Brumm]

Securing APIs in the age of AI

As a developer who is new on the scene of AI as in “proactively using it responsibly”, I try to remain conscious of interacting with APIs securely.

However, from a different standpoint, generative AIs use APIs for data retrieval and information from other systems so that is another area to keep secure.

[DevPro Journal]

Build a Single Page Application Using CakePHP and InertiaJS

I don't have any experience with CakePHP or InertiaJS but this may interest some CakePHP developers so I'm sharing it here with OpenLampTech readers.

Quote from the source article:

“The Inertia Plugin allows a CakePHP application to integrate Vue 3 components in the front end, without the need to write a specific API for data transfer.”

[CakeDC]

10 Critical PHP Development Mistakes That Could Break Your Application in 2025

I (sometimes) like lists like this.

Although the internet is riddled with “X of …” or “Top X of …”, types of articles, this one has several points worth paying attention to.

Some that caught my eye are: