default value

[Lamez]

how do I set a default value in MySQL? or using a PHP script?

 

thanks guys!

[phpQuestioner]

What do you want to set a default value for?

[Lamez]

I have a avatar field under a table I want to set a value for, so if they do not select a avatar, it shows a default one.

[phpQuestioner]

you could do something like this:

 

<?php

if ($avatartype == NULL)
{
$avatartype="default_avatar.jpg"; // to whatever you want your default to be set to
}

echo "<img src=\"$avatartype\">";

?>

[Lamez]

bump

[trq]

CREATE TABLE foo (
  data VARCHAR(80) DEFAULT 'blah blah'
);

[nikefido]

it's better to set the default in your database rather than use PHP for it. It's both faster and more secure.

[Lamez]

right, I could use a query right?

 

but how would I alter a existing row inside a table?

 

table = users

row = avatar

 

-I am not too sure, thanks!

[revraz]

Use the UPDATE mysql function

[Lamez]

alright, I will have to look that up, thanks

[Lamez]

well what about the alter table?

 

would this work?

 ALTER TABLE `users` CHANGE `avatar` `avatar` VARCHAR( 50 ) CHARACTER SET latin1 COLLATE latin1_swedish_ci NULL DEFAULT 'http://www.lamezz.info/user/userava/default.jpeg' 

[revraz]

That's fine if you want to change the Table to have a default value, then you would use Alter.  But if you want to UPDATE an existing row/record, then you need to use the UPDATE function.

[Lamez]

well, I am not too sure if default is they way I need to go

 

I want a default avatar if they do not set one, what would the best way to go about this?

[revraz]

If you want something in the DB as a default if nothing is entered, then yes, set the Table to have a default for that column.

[Lamez]

alright I did that, I went in my DB using Phpmyadmin, and set the default value to the image I wanted, then I set it to "not null", and when I register a new user, it does not show the default user, then I look in the DB and the avatar is not set.

[Lamez]

:-\

[Fyorl]

When you insert the user's row into the table you need to make sure you leave the avatar field blank so that the default value gets used.