problem with update query

i copied and pasted one of my working SQL queries and change a few variables... and now i get

You have an error in your SQL syntax near 'read='1' WHERE id='17'' at line 1

$id = intval($_GET['msg']);
$num = 1;
mysql_query("UPDATE mail SET read='$num' WHERE id='$id'") or die (mysql_error());

is the problem the fact that the numbers are generated dynamically rather than just a string value? please help. Thanx

the column Read is the problem. Read is a reserved word in mysql and CANNOT be used as a column name.

Two ways to solve this:

Use backticks around all column / table names

mysql_query("UPDATE `mail` SET `read`='$num' WHERE `id`='$id'") or die (mysql_error());

the other is to change the name. You could append the tablename and an underscore to the fieldname(s)

mysql_query("UPDATE mail SET mail_read='$num' WHERE mail_id='$id'") or die (mysql_error());

yep thanx