Mysql_query call specific fields

I was wondering if when calling my mySQL DB can a field not be requested.

I have this and it reterns all my information from the DB, but I want to leave out a field of information.

$query = "SELECT * FROM projects ORDER BY $order";
						$result = mysql_query ($query);

Thanks.

you can't do

SELECT * bot not the filed with name 'not_needed'

instead you have to

SELECT field_1, field_2, field_3, ..., field_n

That is what I was afraid of.

I guess I was just trying to go for a easier route.

Thanks

but it's better

i think you have four columns in a table and only need three of them and so you want to select all but not the one column you don't need?

what if your table gets extended by one more column?

you have to type the select only once so always tell mysql which columns you want to retrieve and never use *

That makes a lot of sense. I am learning slowly.

Thanks