how to tell if the table exists?

benkillin

I need to know how to find out if a table and/or actual db exists in a mysql database, if the table doesnt exist, I want to create it... I just need a function that will check to see if the table exists...

leatherback

easier then ****:

IF EXISTS

Check the manual next time.

planetsim

If you have PHPMyADMIN you dont even need to look at the manual.

benkillin

hehe... I am just lazy and didnt want to open another window...

benkillin

actually... it doesnt work... here is what I am using:

	$connect = mysql_connect ($dbhost, $dbusername, $dbpassword); //connect
	mysql_select_db ($dbname); //select the db
	$result = mysql_query ("CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS test(
name VARCHAR(50),
date VARCHAR(25),
message LONGTEXT
");
	if(!$result){
		echo "CREATE TABLE unsuccessful:<br /><br />".mysql_error();
	} else {
		echo 'Successfuly created the table! <a href="blog2.php?view">Go to your new blog!</a>';
	}

it wont create the test table, and the table does not exist! here is the error:

CREATE TABLE unsuccessful:

You have an error in your SQL syntax. Check the manual that corresponds to your MySQL server version for the right syntax to use near '' at line 4

but... the same command works at the command prompt...

leatherback

$result = mysql_query ("CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS 'test'( 
'name' VARCHAR(50), 
'date' VARCHAR(25), 
'message' LONGTEXT 
");

I should not have helped you here, since you ar etoo lazy to open a window: Guess what: I had to open a window too to get the command! But essentially I am a nice persons willing to helop others in my free time..

Hope this helps

<Oh, yeah that's right: I also just stripped the command straight out an phpmyadmin database dump.>

benkillin

well, thank you very much for helping a lazy person like myself!

actually... that didn't fix it...

You have an error in your SQL syntax. Check the manual that corresponds to your MySQL server version for the right syntax to use near ''test'( 'name' VARCHAR(50), 'date' VARCHAR(25), 'message'

leatherback

Are you trying to create a table called test in database test perhaps? That throws errors on my system.

Did you try running it straight to mysql? Perhaps you are not allowed to connect/create tables?
or..?

benkillin

the first one I ran through the mysql shell, and it worked fine, but if I try to do it with PHP, it gives me the error.

and, no I am not trying to create table test in db test, I am creating it in db blog.

dnszero

If you RTFM for CREATE TABLE...then it's pretty obvious where the error is.

It's also pretty obvious even if you don't read anything at all other than the code in that post.

In fact, taking the time to fix it yourself would prolly have been several orders of magnitude quicker than posting yet another reply to this thread.

However, as I was reading this and thinking that, I came to realize that I'm glad you posted after all. I mean, yeah, at first I thought it would be a waste of my time to try to help someone to lazy to help themselves. Actually, I even thought it'd be a waste of my time to finish reading the thread.

But then I realized, hey, it's nice to see that there really is a pay off for all that time I spent reading the manual, checking out articles, and following up on examples and tutorials. Thanks for showing those of us who took the time to open another window, that are our 3 clicks and 5 minutes weren't in vain after all.

larand

Originally posted by dnszero
If you RTFM for CREATE TABLE...then it's pretty obvious where the error is.

It's also pretty obvious even if you don't read anything at all other than the code in that post.

In fact, taking the time to fix it yourself would prolly have been several orders of magnitude quicker than posting yet another reply to this thread.

However, as I was reading this and thinking that, I came to realize that I'm glad you posted after all. I mean, yeah, at first I thought it would be a waste of my time to try to help someone to lazy to help themselves. Actually, I even thought it'd be a waste of my time to finish reading the thread.

But then I realized, hey, it's nice to see that there really is a pay off for all that time I spent reading the manual, checking out articles, and following up on examples and tutorials. Thanks for showing those of us who took the time to open another window, that are our 3 clicks and 5 minutes weren't in vain after all.

What he said.................😉

benkillin

I did read the manual for CREATE TABLE, and the anwser still eludes me, If you would be nice enought to point out my error, I wouldent have to make another reply to this thred.

ahundiak

In your third post:
$result = mysql_query ("CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS test(
name VARCHAR(50),
date VARCHAR(25),
message LONGTEXT
");

Add a right paren after LONGTEXT.

benkillin

well... thank you very much!

/me slaps myself for not seeing that small, yet obvious little detail... :o

dalecosp

Originally posted by ahundiak
In your third post:
$result = mysql_query ("CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS test(
name VARCHAR(50),
date VARCHAR(25),
message LONGTEXT
");

Add a right paren after LONGTEXT.

Stop, dude, you're blinding me!!!

😃 😃

KoshNaranek

by the way... you can't create a row named "date"... "date" is a reserved word... call it "timestamp" or "Ashley" if you like 😃

benkillin

you are wrong, I can, and did.

The_Chancer

Would this be an appropriate time to post the link to the MySQL reserved words list ?

http://www.mysql.com/doc/en/Reserved_words.html

In which Date does not appear.

However when using the MSSQL - some reserved words can be used and referred to if [ ] are used around them in a query... such as [user].