search by multiple fields

[therelelogo]

hi,

 

i'm wondering, is it possible to search by multiple fields at the same time 

let me re-phrase that, i know it is possible BUT (and i dont know the correct terminology here) can i search by something in the URL too?

here is my code:

 

$result = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM adverts WHERE (ad_type = 'standard') AND (category = '$_GET[cat]') AND (i_condition = '$_GET[cond]') ORDER BY item_id DESC")

or die(mysql_error()); 

 

this page returns all that meet the critera of "category" and "i_condition" BUT if one is returned as null, i.e '' then any from the table that arent null are not returned. i hope i have explained this easy to understand.

 

basically what i want to know is, if a value in the url is null (meaning nothing for that field should be searched for) how can i have it return all the results for the other url search fields?

 

oh god i hope this makes sense.

 

another example:

 

/category_pages/full_cat.php?cat=entertainment

 

/category_pages/full_cat.php?cat=entertainment&cond=new

 

in the first link "cond" is not being searched for so i would want all fields returned that just have the matching "cat"

in the second i would want to filter by both, so my question is, in the first example how can i set the code (php above) to just ignore it for the time being unless the "cond" part is in the url?

 

 

any help appreciated thanks

[fenway]

You have to build your where clause dynamically.

[therelelogo]

any suggestions how to change it? or could point me in the right direction?

[fenway]

If you are well-versed in php, a simple if/else will do.

[therelelogo]

hmm i'm not sure it would to be honest,

may be easier to ask then is there a wilcard that would return all values whether the row was blank or had something in it? like * = searches for all?  or ALL or something like that? or is that just wishful thinking?

[fenway]

That will work, but it's the wrong approach.

 

Don't have mysql do more work to make your life easier.