[SOLVED] function question

[182x]

Hey guys, Just wondering what the differences between mysql_fetch_assoc() and mysql_fetch_array() and when should one be used over the other?

 

Thanks.

[cooldude832]

assoc gives you associtive only gives, array gives you index/associtve, otherwise none interms of speed the difference is minimal unless you have a query greater than 100 cols by 100 results or a lot of large fields.

[182x]

Thanks sorry for the newbie quesion but how does an assoc differ from an index/assoc array? Thanks.

[cooldude832]

arrays are formed off 2 styles of keys associtive i.e ($myarray['fish'] or $myarray['cat']) and indeixal i.e ($myarray[0] = "fish" or $myarray[1] = "cat") both have advantages.  Associtive can be used off a user supplied variable or mysql returned string to access them i.e if you had pets and someone said in the search for cat and you could say $myarray[$_GET['pet']] to return what you need.  But indexial arrays let you do quick loops through them using while, foreach loops.  Its something you can pick up on as you get better at php.  Tehre are also what i call hybrid arrays made up of associtve keys with an indexing part ie $pets['animal_1']  you can recall it using a combo string like $pet['animal'.$i] gives you even more options

[182x]

That was great. Thanks