php variables from database

peeter_talvistu

ok, i have a flat text file with some definitions. like this:

define ("LangPassword", "Parool");

i want to store some of these definitions in database, so that i could draw the appropriate one and show it on the page.

using the same example, let's say that the stored definition is LangPassword. when i usually want to display the value of LangPassword (in this case "Parool"), i just type <?= LangPassword ?>

But how can i do the same with the definition drawn from the database?

cgraz

you'd run your select query, then you'd have to fetch the results into an array, either numeric-based (mysql_fetch_array()) or associative (mysql_fetch_assoc()). Once you've fetched it into the array it's a matter of displaying the proper key in the array. If you fetch it as an associative array, the format would be $array_name["field_name"] and numberical would obviously be $array_name['0'] and so on.

Cgraz

peeter_talvistu

aha, but this will display me "LangPassword" not "Parool". i want to get the definition name from the database and then use it to get the word it defines from the flat text file.

peeter_talvistu

i'll try to clarify my question a bit. if you have a php variable. let's say $password. then i want to store it in the mysql table (the variable name [$password], not the value of that variable). then when i draw it from the table i don't want it to print the variable itself ($password), but its value.

can this be done? and how?

cgraz

if you want to store the string "$password", then i think you can just escape the dollar sign.

\$password

then when you echo it, just strip the back slash and echo it. I've never tried this, but with some playing around you could probably get it to work.

Cgraz

peeter_talvistu

ok, i made a mess myself.

i think that your way of displaying variables with $ will work. but what about defined variables. because when you call a defined variable you don't place the $ in front of the variable name. you just call <?= LangPassword ?> not <?= $Lang Password ?>.

is there a way to get these stoed in a db?

peeter_talvistu

i'll try to ellaborate a bit further.

you see, i have a system, where user can choose his/her prefered interface language. deffinitions for words are stored in flat text files. for example, the word for "password" is stored in english lang file like this:

define ("LangPassword", "Password");

now, every page checks for user's preference and includes the required lang file. when i have a input field for password, let's say, then i have to just call <?= LangPassword ?> in the page code, and the correct title in the right language will be displaied.

this works fine for static pages. but when i have a dynamic page - a tree of available modules, for example - i want to store the variable name in the database, call it, and display its value. this way even dynamic pages will be in the user's language of choice.

hopefully this will help a bit.

p.s. if you have an alternative idea, that doesn't require storing the variable name, please do share.

peeter_talvistu

in case anyone should stumble upon this, i will post an answer to the problem.

the LangPassword constant is restored in table called table in the field called what.

$query = mysql_query("select what from table where id='1'");
while ( $row = mysql_fetch_array($query) ) {
$what = $row["what"];
}
echo constant($what);

you just have to use constant() or it will just show LangPassword (eg. the constant name stored in table).