Compatible MySQL_connect alternative in PHP 8.1 - html

Question

Have a xamp server running PHP Version 8.1.10. When trying to connect, it gives the following error: Fatal error: Uncaught Error: Call to undefined function mysql_connect() in C:\xampp\htdocs\elims\databaseConnect.php:7 Stack trace: #0 C:\xampp\htdocs\elims\index.php(7): require_once() #1 {main} thrown in C:\xampp\htdocs\elims\databaseConnect.php on line 7
Commenting out the following lines with # logged me in the main window of the application but failed to connect with the sql batabes:
<?php
$host='localhost';
$username='root';
$password='';
$database='elims';
**#** $connect=mysql_connect($host,$username,$password) or die("databse connection failed...".mysql_error());;
**#** $db_select=mysql_select_db($database,$connect) or die("databse connection failed...".mysql_error());
?>
Do understand mysql_connect is nolonger applicatble in php versions higher than 7, then what works.