SQL query not working as expected

gotissues68

Howdy-
I'm using the following as an SQL query to generate a drop down menu (some code omitted for brevity).

$query = mysql_query('select * from domain_names where user = "$PHP_AUTH_USER" order by domain') or die(mysql_error());

The problem I'm running into, is that, the "$PHP_AUTH_USER" is not getting set and therefore not populating the list as I would like. If I hardcode a value where the variable is placed, then the query works as expected. I can echo the variable back on the page, so I know its being generated and can be seen by atleast other parts of the script, does anyone have a clue what it is that I'm doing wrong here?

paulnaj

Haven't used $PHP_AUTH_USER before, but try ...

$_SERVER['PHP_AUTH_USER']

... rather than ...

$PHP_AUTH_USER

That'll probably do it!

gotissues68

I thought of that, but hadn't tried it! And unfortunately it failed to work, same thing. Its apparently not getting set. I may mention as this may have some bearing on the situation is that, the $query string is being called within a function, would that somehow create a problem?

gotissues68

I had to change the query to look like this for some odd reason 😉

$query = mysql_query('select * from domain_names where user = "' . $_SERVER[PHP_AUTH_USER] . '" order by domain') or die(mysql_error());

Found in the php.net manual under the code snippet sections doh!

paulnaj

Yes, it was the 'embedding' of the variable in the string.

Sort of thing ...

$name = 'Fred';

$msg = 'Hello, my name is $name!'; (embedded)

... is same as ...

$msg = 'Hello, my name is '.$name.'!';

Your problem occurred when it wasn't just a simple variable, but a 'hash' element of the $_SERVER variable.