Need help get this query and extraction correct

[zid]

Hi guys,

I need help to understand and get this to work.

I'm trying to lean php/mysql so this is a small script of mine.

 

I wanna try get a webpage tell me what type of cost I have each month for water, electricity and so forth.

I also want it to be displayed into a table like this:

 

        Jan        Feb        Mars
---------------------------------------
Water   1200       340        550
El      1100       300        600

 

...you get my point.

 

So started to read about how to have a good MySQL setup so started small using only three rows: type, date and cost

type = water, electricity, ensurance...

date = 2012-08-16 (dont know if thats a god way of doing it- only want to have that cost for that month displayed)

cost = the cost

 

As you can see in my code below im not off for a good start. Im a tru' rookie and I've read tons of guides online but I cant find a way of putting things where I want them into my table...

 

?>
<table>
<tr>
<th>Cost</th>
<th>Jan</th>
<th>Feb</th>
<th>Mar</th>
</tr>
<?php

$query = 'SELECT * FROM test_data';
$result = mysql_query($query, $connect);
while ($row = mysql_fetch_assoc($result))
{
  echo "<tr>\n";
  echo "<td>".$row['type']."</td>\n";
  echo "<td>".$row['cost']."</td>\n";
  echo "<td>".$row['cost']."</td>\n";
  echo "<td>".$row['cost']."</td>\n";
  echo "</tr>\n";   
}
?>
</table>

 

My quesions are:

1. Have I completely misunderstood how I should start out with the SQL layout? maybee should have another "layout"?

2. In my loop I want to put the correct cost for that month in the correct place

3. I don't want to display the date any where, just for a query to know for what month that cost belongs to...

 

Please help me out, and describe what things are for what - or I can never learn...

 

Any help appreciated!

 

[Christian F.]

You can have a look at a previous post I made, which showcases how to make a HTML table from an array with unknown length.

[zid]

Hi Christian,

Hmm what does it do?

 

Saves all the dates and costs in various variables for easier printing? hmmm

[Christian F.]

If you read the thread, you'll see what kind of output it gives. Also, do try to play around with it, while using some example values from a database, and you'll see for yourself. The PHP manual will also help explain what the different function does, so I highly recommend reading through it.