get max value from mysql database

[suhailtahir]

Hi there,
I'll try to explain myself but what i really want to get maximum value from mysql database. Infact i've five fields called num1, num2 ..... num5 and each field hold an integer. I want to get the field name (i.e. num1 or num2 or ....) holding maximum number. Is it possible using php and if so then pls help me.
I thank you all in advance for your help.

[fitzbean]

It's kind of an awkward database design you have going there but..

$result = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM $thetablename")

$result_array = mysql_fetch_array($result)

rsort($result_array);

echo $result_array[0] . " is the highest of the values.";

[Anon]

Or ... maybe in theory ...

$result = mysql_query("SELECT max(*) as maxnum FROM $thetablename");
list($maxnum) = mysql_fetch_row($result);
echo $maxnum;