Problems with mysql

[Anon]

Hi there,

first of all: I'm a newbie.

I've put data into my mysql database.
It concerns 2 tables: posts & users
If a user posts a message on to my forum, this post will be saved in the table 'posts'.
Only registred users can post a message.
The userID will also be saved in the table 'posts' with the message.
But when a user unregisters, he will be deleted from the users-table.
So my problem is the following.
I still want to show the user his message on the screen, with his name. But since he was deleted, there is an error, because he was deleted.
This is very normal, I know.
But how can I fix this problem?!
So I still can show the user's message on the screen WITH his name.
Thanks (my email is: [e-mail])

[Anon]

Add an extra column, REGISTERED CHAR(3), to the users table. When a new user is entered, set the column to 'YES' and when someone unregisters update the value to 'NO'.

Thus you don't need to delete any names, and when someone logs in you need to check that the REGISTERED column is set to 'YES'

[Anon]

Thanks, i've considered that. But if someone is unregistred then his nickname should be available for other users.
For example: nick: John pasword:pass
If this user unregisters, and someone else registers as John that will give a problem.
I could set it back to YES, but than this new user can't change his pasword, because it already exists.
Do you understand what I'm trying to say? 🙂
Isn't there any other way?
thanks

[Anon]

I could set it back to YES, but than this new user can't change his pasword, because it already exists. >>

What do you mean by that? What is it that already exists? I don't see the problem. A users enters a nick and a password(or one is generated). If the nick exists and registered is 'NO' just update the password and the registered column.

If someone reuses an old nick, what shall happen with messages posted by that nick? They shouldn't be inherited by the new user I presume but you still wish to keep them, right?

Somehow your requirements seems contradictory.

[Anon]

Yes, if a new user enters the same name as a user that has unregistered, then it will seem that the post was produces by the new user. I can't figure out how to solve this problem. Or should I let the username exist, and force all new users to enter a unic username (although the chosen nick was from a unregistred user) ?

[theslinky]

Well, like Lars said, your requirements are contradictory.

Assume user "abc" posts a message. Then he unregisters. Then another user signs up with the name "abc". Then you HAVE to delete the old "abc"'s messages so that it doesn't seem like the new "abc" has posted those old messages.

My suggestion to you is: keep the "registered" field as lars said. When a person unregisters, set this field to NO and set the username to something like "abc (user till 07/17/02)" to indicate that "abc" was the old user until the date he/she unregistred.

So when a new person registers with the name "abc", they won't be associated with the old abc by the forum users nor the database tables.

-sridhar