<?php ?> Lazy-connecting to database is handled via Doctrine_Db wrapper. When using Doctrine_Db instead of PDO / Doctrine_Adapter, lazy-connecting to database is being performed (that means Doctrine will only connect to database when needed). <br \><br \>This feature can be very useful when using for example page caching, hence not actually needing a database connection on every request. Remember connecting to database is an expensive operation. <br \> <br \> <?php renderCode("<?php // we may use PDO / PEAR like DSN // here we use PEAR like DSN \$dbh = new Doctrine_Db('mysql://username:password@localhost/test'); // !! no actual database connection yet !! // initalize a new Doctrine_Connection \$conn = Doctrine_Manager::connection(\$dbh); // !! no actual database connection yet !! // connects database and performs a query \$conn->query('FROM User u'); ?>"); ?>