Where is the ' coming from?

[3raser]

My error: 

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 FROM applications WHERE key = '0188f'' at line 1

 

Code:

 

		function randomNum()
		{
			$random = substr(md5(rand(5000,300000)), -5);
			$query = mysql_query("SELECT key FROM applications WHERE key = $random") or die(mysql_error());

			//make sure it doesn't already exist
			if(mysql_num_rows($query) > 0)
			{
				randomNum();
			}
			else
			{
				return $random;
			}
		}

 

I simply cannot seem to figure out what is happening...I've tried many solutions, but all seem to fail.

[HDFilmMaker2112]

Isn't "key" a reserved mysql word? Maybe MySQL is trying to escape it.

[3raser]

Isn't "key" a reserved mysql word? Maybe MySQL is trying to escape it.

 

Thank you kind sir. I don't believe how many times I've had this same problem before, but I can NEVER REMEMBER TO ESCAPE RESERVED KEYWORDS.

 

Gah! Anyways, once again, I thank you.