It has some features for transactions (
PHP: mysqli_rollback - Manual ,
PHP: mysqli_commit - Manual ), executing multiple queries (
PHP: mysqli_multi_query - Manual ), and stored procedures (
PHP: mysqli_stmt_prepare - Manual ). That's not a comprehensive list, just a beginning guide. I also noticed someone mentioning
MySQL AB :: MySQL native driver for PHP - mysqlnd in the notes, but am not sure about what's going on there or the degree of availability. Additionally, you can find a summary with relevant links at
MySQL AB :: MySQL 3.23, 4.0, 4.1 Reference Manual :: 17.3 MySQL PHP API , one of those links being
ext/mysqli: Part I - Overview and Prepared Statements which I think you'll like.