mysql db help

[kev wood]

i want to run a query on a mysql db that i have set up but when it returns the results i want it give a variable the same value as the query.  i am storing a random number in a db to use with images when they are displayed so that the image does not show the cached version of the image when the page is loaded again.

 

i have got the query to work with the echo function so i know that the number is being stored.  i now need to know how to give a variable the same value as the stored number the code i am using is this

 

$query = "SELECT random1 FROM random_number";
$result=mysql_query($query);

while($row=mysql_fetch_array($result)){
$rand="{$row['random1']}";

 

it is the lst line that i am unsure about i do not know if this is giving the variable a value at all?

[kev wood]

it does give the variable a value but will this then be available to use around the rest of the page or is it only available to use with the mysql query.  i not i not sounding clear but i is trying to explain myself.

 

i want to be able to append this number to the end of image file as it has been stored on the server with this number appended to the file.  as it is a randomly generated number the only way i can think of being able to use it again is by storing it in a db when generated and then retrieving it again when the image needs to be viewed again.

 

it may be a stupid question but i have never used the results from a mysql query in this way before.

[fenway]

Once you assign another variable's value, it stay around until it goes out of scope.

[kev wood]

when you say out of scope do you mean when the page has been left of when the function to get the value has been left.

[mjcoco]

while($row=mysql_fetch_array($result))
{
$rand="{$row['random1']}";
}

 

This is an example of a scope.  if you put a variable inside a while loop for example it will only stay there.

[fenway]

This is a php syntax issue... topic locked.