How do you use a variable operand?

[sptrsn]

I want to use greater than or less than in my select statement depending on the user.

I have no problem with the conditional statement and can echo the variable just fine.

I just can't figure out how to use it in the select statement.

 

For context, here is a simplified condition.

(which is working fine)

if ($user_id == 50)
{
$oper == '<';
}
else
{
$oper == '>';
}

 

The problem comes when trying to use that variable ($oper) in the select statement.

$sql = "select * from t1 where v1 '$oper' v2";

 

Can some kind soul tell me what I'm doing wrong, or point me to some documentation?

 

Thanks a bunch.

 

mysql v 5.0.51a

php5.2.4

[Pikachu2000]

Don't quote the variable holding the operator.

[sptrsn]

That works great.

Thank you very much.

[mikesta707]

To add to what pikachu said, when trying to figure out mysql errors, it is usually helpful to output the query when the mysql fails. For example

$result = mysql_query($sql) or die("There was a mysql error: " . mysql_error() . "<br />On the query: " . $sql);

 

Or die is kind of a touchy subject, as its not good practice when your site is live, so you will want to switch to a more elegant solution to handling errors, but while debugging this is a great tool. It allows you to view the query as its been sent, and what the error is. This allows you to catch simple syntax errors like yours.