Cells

[carleihar]

I've tried to find this, but I can't seem to find a clear answer.

 

I'm simply trying to extract one piece of information/cell (column and row) from a database and assign that value to a variable.

 

Could someone help me understand?

 

Thanks!

[s0c0]

What database engine are you using (for instance MySQL).  Can we see a query?  Can we see code you've written?  Do you know SQL so you can get that data out?  More information is helpful here.  To give you an idea though.

 

// database connection here

$sql = "SELECT cell FROM table WHERE id='$id'";
$r = mysql_fetch_assoc(mysql_query($sql));

// reference data through the $r['cell'] variable

[carleihar]

Oh yes, I'm sorry. I'm using MySQL.

 

So say if I wanted to extract a value in a certain column in a certan row using a user ID. (Say for instance, the email address for a certain user and then store that email address in variable $address, so that I could easily create html with that variable)

 

Does that make much sense? I'm pretty knew to MySQL so I don't know much of any code in PHP to accesse my databases.

[mikesta707]

pretty much what s0c0 said.

$sql = "SELECT email FROM table WHERE id=$id LIMIT 1";//limit to 1 row returned
$query = mysql_query($sql);
$row = mysql_fetch_assoc($query);//could also use fetch_array or fetch_row i guess, but i prefer fetch_assoc
$cell = $row['email'];//$cell now contains the email address

 

just replace table with your table name, and id with whatever the userID column is, and obviously $id with whatever variable you are using that stores the id of the row you want to access

 

[carleihar]

I'll try that. Thanks!

[s0c0]

You need to establish a mysql connection first.  It may be helpful for you to get a book from the library on php mysql.  I learned from this book many years ago and it did wonders for my career: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0672329166/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1/190-7625085-1967410?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_r=17DBYJW757PXX0S7B2V3&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_i=0672317842 its called PHP and MySQL Web Development.

 

For information on mysql connections:

http://php.net/manual/en/function.mysql-connect.php

[carleihar]

Oh yes, I know a small amount about SQL and I can connect with my database and such.

 

Quick question: is $row a designated php variable? I've used this before and I didn't know if I could change it or if it stands for something special.

 

Also, if I wanted to do something similar to this (with say, password) would I need to rename all these variables differently? or could I leave $sql/$query/$row?

 

Thanks again everyone for the help!

[mikesta707]

variable names don't matter. you could name your variables goboldygook1, 2, and 3 and it would work fine