How do I update a value when the field is a number?

[maxf]

I'm trying to update data in a field called 3. For whatever reason, I can't get it to work. When I update data in a different field (in the same row) called email, it works just fine. I think it's the fact that 3 is just a number, and the SQL command doesn't work well with it. Anyways, here's the code that works:

$query3 = "UPDATE login SET email='demo2' where username='maxf'";
$result3 = MYSQL_QUERY($query3, $db2);

And here's the code that doesn't:
$query3 = "UPDATE login SET 3='demo2' where username='maxf'";
$result3 = MYSQL_QUERY($query3, $db2);

I must keep the field named as 3. Please help!

[mourisj]

Hello,

First, I don't see why the field name has to be '3'. database fields can normally have any name! But y may have your reasons. (Note that not every database accepts numbers as field names; often, field names have to start with a letter).

Second, I have tested your case: to create a fieldname with only one digit, I had to put it into (backtick) symbols, like:
create table test (3` varchar(10));

If you do the same for your update, it will work !

insert into test values ('blah');
update test set 3= 'bla';

( Note: I did this on a Linux box, I don't know if this is true on other OSes)

Best regards,

JJ Mouris

[maxf]

Well I spent a good two hours changing things around, so now field names are single letters. So far so good. Thanks anyways 🙂.