mysql vars

[Anon]

Im trying to get a variable from a mysql database and add or subtract from it. The problem is when I get the value, lets say for qty., it comes back as NULL even though I have the type set as an integer in mysql. Is there a way I can change the type so it becomes an integer so i can add to qty.? I have tryed the settype() function but the value changes to 0. Thanks in advance.

[frymaster]

you can do an explicit cast like so:

$foo = "9";

$foo = (int)$foo +1;