Inserting an array of data into the same mysql table row

[gomer_pyle]

Is there a way to insert an array of data into the same row. I can not figure out how to do it. I tried looping insert, but it puts the data into different rows.

Thanks '
Gomer Pyle

[Drakla]

If you really have to do this you could serialise the array, then when you wanted it unserialise it

http://uk.php.net/manual/en/function.serialize.php

[gomer_pyle]

Drakla,

Thank you for the good advice. I went back and worked on the serialization idea and could not get it to work (this is question 1 I got Question 2 coming)

The code I wrote is as follows:

$conn = to_db();
$test_array = array('firstName', 'lastName');
$serial_test = addslashes(serialize($test_array));
$insert = mysql_query(insert into friends($serial_test) values('Jerry', 'Stevens')");

My knowledge of php is limited so I am sure I am doing something obvious wrong.

My second question is that in your post you said "if you really want to do this you could use serialization" is this an intensive process?

Again thank you for the help.
-Gomer

[Drakla]

Hi.

No, it's not an intensive process. I was wondering if you'd have to do searches on the serialised data, and was wondering what kind of column type you're using to store the arrays as serialising bloats up the size of the data. Depending on what you're doing there might be a better solution - but that's only a might.

[gomer_pyle]

Drakla,

The Data is not being searched. I just want to create a insert function that takes an array of fields from a table and an array of values for those fields and inserts them into the table. So no matter how small or big the form is this function will handle the inserting.

I think your idea of serialization will work I just don't think my coding is correct (view my last post for code example)

Thanks Again Drakla

-Gomer