Variable formats

[jbbaxx]

Here's an easy one (I think):

When echoing the variable, I want to insert a character (let's say a dash"-") before and/or after the word(s).

<?php echo $whatever; ?>

What's the easiest and most flexible method for this that won't print the character if there's no variable?

[choppsta]

I usually use:

<?php if ($whatever) { echo "- $whatever";} ?>

or:

<?php if ($whatever) { echo '- '.$whatever;} ?>

It's all good...

[nexgen_x]

total newbie to VB

I'm guessing it would also be possible to add the -'s on each side of the variable, to the variable itself...
ie..

$whatever = "-" & $whatever & "-"

(except with php code instead of VB code in =/)

[jbbaxx]

Thanks for the help, but it doesn't work in my case. I get a parse error on the line that the code is on. I'm using the PHAkt extension with Dreamweaver so my variables are actually bigger:
<?php $recordset->Fields("ColumnName")?>
Any other suggestions?