Very confusing description.
... If it has gone down, an automatic reconnection is attempted
(But the function returns only true or false, so if you have variable say $link = connection resource, it will be an invalid resource)
Then ...
... Note: Since MySQL 5.0.13, automatic reconnection feature is disabled.
OK, if it returns false, I have the chance to reconnect updating my resource variable
$link = reconnect
But I did called the function with $link to do the check, so ...
If no such link is found, it will try to create one as if mysql_connect() was called with no arguments (this are different arguments than automatic reconnection, doesn't it? I think, automatic reconnecting, say to $link, would be with its own arguments previously used to create the connection)
So bad decision about automatic recconection feature disabled ...
At least the function should have the param by reference, so in case it reconnects with a new link_identifier.
bool mysql_ping ( &[resource $link_identifier] )
Or a return value of link_identifier, not true.
if ($link=mysql_ping($link)) {...} else { whatever }