query should work but does not.......

k994519

hi guys

this is the query which should work but does not:

$query="select question_id, question from questions, tests where tests.test_id ='$test'  and tests.module_id=questions.module_id and questions.required='yes' [b]limit row_count by tests.number_of_questions [/b] order by rand()";

The limit row should be set to the value inside the field number_of_questions from table tests....

thanks for any help

AstroTeg

You might want to check out the manual on querying.

order by rand() is not legit. For "order by" to work, it has to be a valid field in a table or referenced in your query.

The "limit" clause is "limit [number of rows]" or "limit [start row], [number of rows]". I'm pretty sure you can't just put in a field name and expect the database to know how many to pull from the field contents (although I could be wrong - but I didn't see anything possible like that up on mysql.com).

k994519

the order by rand()

refers to an mysql function called random i know that is not the problem i think its more likely to be A problem with the limit row count.....

AstroTeg

I dunno. I did SELECT * FROM [validtablename] ORDER BY rand() and got a mysql error telling me there was a problem with ORDER BY rand(). Maybe your database is groovy with it.

What errors are you getting?

k994519

Yeah that could be the case

I am using the latest MYSQL software any way,

still need help with the limit row with field from table in db.

thanks

AstroTeg

Originally posted by k994519
Yeah that could be the case

still need help with the limit row with field from table in db.

thanks

So... What error are you getting?

k994519

error is

error @ llimit.......

sorry i cant be more specific at this time
my brother just nicked my laptop

AstroTeg

Originally posted by k994519
error is

error @ llimit.......

sorry i cant be more specific at this time
my brother just nicked my laptop

Um, ok. This is like saying my car doesn't work, how do I fix it? We need more details and then we can help you out. Try using echo mysql_error() or try copying your query and pasting it into phpmyadmin and running it from there.

k994519

thanks for all ur efforts

i shall get back to you with the error messag later on today hopefully take care......

have a good night