Using > operator breaks script. < etc. does not.

[endlyss]

This code is only a rough draft.

In using an if statement to check stringlength using the > operator breaks the whole code under it. Using < doesn't seem to bother it or other operators... i.e.

if ($string > 100) {

echo "You have over 100 characters. You must use fewer letters.";
exit;
}

all code follows...

$description=$POST["description"];
$username=$POST["username"];

$description = stripslashes($description);
$string = strlen($description);

if ($string > 100) { //THIS PART BREAKS THE CODE

echo "You have over 100 characters. You must use fewer letters.";
exit;
}

$method = getenv("request_method");
if ($method != "POST")
{
header("location:error.php?msg13");
echo $method;
exit;
}

if (eregi("[?;%'$*&]", $url)) {

header("location: change_info.html");
exit;
}

if (eregi("[?$%^|()&*@!#]", $search))
{
header("Location: error.php?msg12");
exit;
}

$description = addslashes($description);

$dbh=mysql_connect ("localhost", "", "") or die ('I cannot connect to the database because: ' . mysql_error());
mysql_select_db ("shop");

$sql = "update sites set description = '$description' where username = '$username'";

$sql_result = mysql_query($sql)

or die(mysql_error());

MYSQL_CLOSE();

[jerdo]

If that breaks it why not rethink your logic and exit the code if $string is less than or equal to 100, and output your error in a then statement.

[TheDefender]

It may not necessarily be that > symbol, even though it looks like that's where it's breaking.

It may be something in the $description. (like a < symbol) which is interpreted as an opening and closing HTML element tag < >.

What indication do you have that that's where the code is breaking?

[endlyss]

What indication do you have that that's where the code is breaking?<

I have been over and over it bit by bit. Everything is fine until I use the > operator. Also, my editor color codes and when I put in the > operator the "lights go out" on the color coding. Take it out, they go back on again.

Stangely, the code runs on my Windows machine but will not run on my server.

$description is simply the value from a form like any other.

I have tested

$string = strlen($description);

immediately before going into the if statement, outputting it to the browser and it is fine.

I can work around it like jerdo said, but it just doesn't seem right that this won't work.

Sorry for the long delays in my posts but I am severely hampered getting internet access at this time.

Thanks for the help.

[Roger_Ramjet]

Strange!!

Pasted it into UltraEdit: colour coding OK

is used in the examples in strlen() notes

I have used it in my scripts: no problem

Just out of interest: have you tried using it in a SWITCH , just to see what happens

"Having elliminated the unlikely, the 'impossible' must be the answer." (or something like that) Sherlock Holmes

So I'd begin to worry that my PC was sending the wrong ASCI code, but then I'm paranoid.

[TheDefender]

COlor codes fine in Dev-PHP too. There's nothing odd with the code you have here.

[BlackenedSky]

What error, if any is it throwing up at you?

[BlackenedSky]

try using $POST['description'] rather than $POST["description"]

I've never had any values returned when I use speach marks instead of appostrophies.

Check as well that you havn't got another strings in your code with < in them that havn't been closed off properly before the code you have posted, because it might be being picky and thinking > is closing off a previous < somehwere?

Too tired to think properly though lol.