[SOLVED] debugging script - syntax confusion

[kate_rose]

Someone over in the mysql help section suggested that I have incorrect syntax in the snippet of code below.  I have always used the periods and double quotes to put a php variable into a mysql query but I am very new at this so maybe it does need to be changed.  Specifically I am refereding to the $savetodb variable syntax.  I am trying to send a serialized array to a mysql db.

 

<?php
$query = "INSERT INTO serialized_data(key, serialized) VALUES ('picstorage','". $savetodb ."')";
?>

 

Thanks,

 

Kate

[Stooney]

The syntax looks correct to me.  You could try adding a space after 'serialized_data'.  so..

 

<?php
$query = "INSERT INTO serialized_data (key, serialized) VALUES ('picstorage','". $savetodb ."')";
?>

 

Also make sure the field in the database if of a type capable of storing what you are trying to store.  And try to include any error messages you are getting.

[chuckman]

you have to specify a table or a row, I'm a little rusty at database queries.

[chuckman]

Secondly try no spaces between periods and var.

[kate_rose]

Here is the code at least the part I am having trouble with.

 

<?php
$savetodb = (serialize($picstorage));		//convert picstorage into a sqlinput string
echo $savetodb;
$query = "INSERT INTO serialized_data (key, serialized) VALUES ('picstorage','". $savetodb ."')";  
mysql_query($query);
?> 

 

As far as i know the "serialized_data" part of the query is the part of the INSERT command which tells mysql which table to use.

 

The database column is set to mediumtext but this is a rather big array.  I will try setting it to accept larger strings.

 

Anyway I am getting no error message at all.  It all looks fine but when I go look in the serialized_data table nothing has been added.

The echo $savetodb is returning the serialized array with no problem so it has to be in the query I think.

 

k- ???

 

The string I am saving does have backslashes & stuff in it.  Would that make a difference?

[Stooney]

Try this:

 

mysql_query($query) OR die(mysql_error());

[kate_rose]

Oh thats handy.  Sorry I didn't know about that before.

 

The error I get is

 

You have an error in your SQL syntax; check the manual that corresponds to your MySQL server version for the right syntax to use near 'key, serialized) VALUES ('picstorage','a:308:{i:0;s:36:"Acanthaceae\Asystasia_ga' at line 1

[Stooney]

Throw some backdrops around 'key'. (` = backdrop)

 

$query = "INSERT INTO serialized_data (`key`, serialized) VALUES ('picstorage','". $savetodb ."')";  

[kate_rose]

That did it Chris.  Thank you.

 

Is key a reserved word or something??  What do the backdrops do?

 

Thanks,

 

Kate

[Stooney]

key is used by mysql.  The backdrops basically just take whatever is inside them and doesn't check them for reserved mysql words.  (That was probably worded terribly, but it's on the right track).

[kate_rose]

Thank you again.  Chris.