Field Exist?

[benhaynes]

Im trying to find a SQL query that will tell me if a field exists in a table. For example, I have a table called MEMBERS, and fields within that table called ID, NAME, PASSWORD... you get it... anyway, I need a SQL query that will tell me if the NAME field is in the table. I just need a boolean answer.

Just to clarify, I DONT need to check if a value exists in a row... I need to know if the FIELD exists in the table. Any ideas?

I was thinking something like this... but I dont know...

[code]$query = "DESCRIBE MEMBERS"; 
$result = mysql_query($query);
while($row = mysql_fetch_array($result)){
// LOOP THROUGH AND CHECK
}[/code]

[joshi_v]

Hi,

There shuold be  a better way to do it.but now this only strike in mind  :-\ , see the query

$sql="select Name from members";
$qry=mysql_query($sql) or die ('Name not found in this table');

If anyone has better ideas..update me ;)

Joshi

[fenway]

Well, in MySQL 5, you can query the information_schema tables directly; otherwise, you have to parse DESCRIBE.