(PHP 4, PHP 5 < 5.2.1)
ifx_prepare — Prepare an SQL-statement for execution
$query
   , resource $link_identifier
   [, int $cursor_def
   ], mixed $blobidarray
   ) : resource
   Prepares a query for later use with
   ifx_do().
  
For "select-type" queries a cursor is declared and opened. Non-select queries are "execute immediate".
For either query type the number of (estimated or real) affected rows is saved for retrieval by ifx_affected_rows().
   If the contents of the TEXT (or BYTE) column allow it, you can also use
   ifx_textasvarchar(1) and 
   ifx_byteasvarchar(1).  This allows you to treat TEXT
   (or BYTE) columns just as if they were ordinary (but long) VARCHAR columns
   for select queries, and you don't need to bother with blob id's.
  
   With ifx_textasvarchar(0) or 
   ifx_byteasvarchar(0) (the default situation), select
   queries will return BLOB columns as blob id's (integer value).  You can
   get the value of the blob as a string or file with the blob functions (see
   below).
  
queryThe query string.
link_identifierThe link identifier.
cursor_def
       This optional parameter allows you to make this a 
       scroll and/or hold cursor.
       It's a bitmask and can be either IFX_SCROLL,
       IFX_HOLD, or both or'ed together.
      
blobidarray
       If you have BLOB (BYTE or TEXT) columns in the query, you can add
       a blobidarray parameter containing the
       corresponding "blob ids", and you should replace those columns
       with a "?" in the query text.
      
   Returns a valid result identifier for use by ifx_do(),
   or FALSE on errors.