What is PDO in PHP?

PDO stands for PHP Data Objects, which is a robust database access layer included in PHP. It provides a uniform method of accessing multiple databases using the same functions, which simplifies database interaction and enhances code portability. PDO supports several database management systems, including MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, and others, making it versatile for developers working on different projects.

One of the key features of PDO is its support for prepared statements, which help protect against SQL injection attacks by separating SQL logic from data. This is crucial for developing secure applications. Additionally, PDO allows for error handling through exceptions, which provides more control over how errors are managed during database interactions.

The other options, such as PHP Data Optimization, Persistent Data Operations, and PHP Direct Output, do not accurately reflect the purpose or functionality of PDO, focusing instead on misleading or unrelated concepts that are not part of PHP's database handling features.