> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://mariadb.com/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://mariadb.com/docs/connectors/mariadb-connector-c/api-functions/mariadb_connect.md).

# mariadb\_connect

## Syntax

```bnf
#include <mysql.h>

MYSQL *mariadb_connect(MYSQL * mysql, const char *conn_str);
```

## Parameter

* `mysql` - mysql handle, which was previously allocated by [mysql\_init()](/docs/connectors/mariadb-connector-c/api-functions/mysql_init.md) and connected by [mysql\_real\_connect()](/docs/connectors/mariadb-connector-c/api-functions/mysql_real_connect.md).
* `conn_str`- Connection string, containing connection parameters. A connection string contains key/value pairs, separated by a semicolon as used in ODBC. Supported keys are all configuration options which can be used in MariaDB configuration files. For a complete list check the chapter configuration files.

## Return Value

Returns a `MYSQL *` handle or NULL on error.

## Note

* The connection string must contain at least one semicolon, otherwise it will be interpreted as hostname.
* Unknown or invalid keys will be ignored
* `mariadb_connect` is not a function, but a macro which maps to mysql\_real\_connect: `#define mariadb_connect(mysql, conn_str) mysql_real_connect((mysql),(conn_str), NULL, NULL, NULL, 0, NULL, 0)`

## Example

```sql
if (!mariadb_connect(mysql, "host=localhost;database=test;ssl_enforce=1"))
{
  printf("Error: %s\n", mysql_error(mysql));
  return 1;
}
```

## History

`mariadb_connect()` was added in Connector/C 3.3.0.


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://mariadb.com/docs/connectors/mariadb-connector-c/api-functions/mariadb_connect.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.