How to check the result of a query?

Question

PHP

$rs="SELECT * FROM `pany`  WHERE `link`='$link' LIMIT 1";
 $ars =  mysql_query ($rs);

How to make a condition? Well if `link is not equal to `$link'

Answer 1

$rs="SELECT * FROM `pany`  WHERE `link`='$link' LIMIT 1";
$ars =  mysql_query ($rs);
if ( mysql_num_rows($ars) )
  echo 'Результат есть';
else
  echo 'Пусто';

Answer 2

$rs="SELECT * FROM `pany`  WHERE `link` <> '$link' LIMIT 1";

Or

$rs="SELECT * FROM `pany`  WHERE NOT `link` = '$link' LIMIT 1";