Make NULL value from empty date formfield

[eurob]

I have a table in mySql with a NULL datetime field.

In my form the date field can be empty so I want to do an insert as this:

 

insert into mytable(id,date) values($id,$date)

However, when I leave the $date empty (on the form) php complains that $date has an invalid value.

In mySql however, I can do

insert into mytable(id,date) values(1,NULL)

How can I make PHP recognize my $date field as a NULL value?

 

Thanks

[Daniel0]

"NULL" is a string, NULL isn't. You need to check if it's empty and set it to "NULL" yourself.

[eurob]

I notice I have to write different sql statements because when I would do this:

if (empty($date))$date=NULL; 

and then do this:

insert into mytable(id,date) values($id,$date)

it will still errors with 'incorrect datetime value of ". So then I have to do it like this

if (empty($date))insert into mytable(id,date) values($id,NULL)

Is there a handier way to do this?