[SOLVED] mysql update syntax help

[nbarone]

This is what I have:

 

$query = "UPDATE vol_app SET app_sunday_vols='$sunday_choices', app_other_vols='$week_choices', app_children='$vapp_childrenYN', app_numchildren='$vapp_childrenNum', app_service_attended='$vapp_service_attended, app_vol_service='$vapp_service_avail' WHERE 'app_id'='$insert_id'";
	$result = mysql_query($query) or die (mysql_error());

 

output:

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 '11' WHERE 'app_id'='13'' at line 1

 

thanks in advanced!

[lonewolf217]

'app_id'  should use backticks, not quotes    `app_id`

[nbarone]

'app_id'  should use backticks, not quotes    `app_id`

 

that didn't fix it, but can you explain why I should use them instead?

[PFMaBiSmAd]

Back-ticks are mysql specific and should be avoided. For your specific query, nothing should be around app_id

 

Echo $query to see what it actually contains.

[kickstart]

Hi

 

You use back ticks around column names which may not be obvious column names. For example those with spaces in them or those which are an SQL reserved word.

 

You use quotation marks around strings, so WHERE 'app_id'='$insert_id'" is checking to see if a string app_id is equal to $insert_id, while WHERE `app_id`='$insert_id'" is checking if a column called app_id is equal to $insert_id.

 

As to your issue, echo out $query before you execute it and check what it is.

 

All the best

 

Keith

[nbarone]

thanks, I forgot a ' around a variable 

 

thank you all for the quick help!