[Resolved] Default id

cpaoletto

Can I refer to a row in a mysql database by the number in which it is in my table.

Example:

I have a table with 3 columns, id (auto_increment, primary key), name, title.

4 Tom President
5 Jane President
7 Joe President

Now I want to be able to return the name of the first row. I can't call it by id, name, or title. The only thing I know is that I need the result for the first row.

Is there a default id for mysql or how would I refer to a specific row by order?

TheDefender

If you are just wanting to return the first row, then you can consider adding a limit clause to your query...

cpaoletto

No I need to return any given row. Is there a way that I can tell mysql to return results for the first row, second row, fifth row, etc.?

TheDefender

Ahhh, sorry 'bout that...
[man]mysql_data_seek[/man] in conjunction with [man]mysql_fetch_row[/man] should get you going in the right direction...

cpaoletto

Thanks for the advice. I tried these functions but I am still having problems. Here is my code. Am I missing something?

$qr = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM recent ORDER BY name");
$nrows = mysql_num_rows($qr);
$rString = "n=".$nrows;

$tab = $HTTP_POST_VARS['thisLetter'];
if ($tab!=""){
$varname = mysql_data_seek($qr,0);
$varname = mysql_fetch_row($qr);
$varname2 = $varname["name"];
$query2 = mysql_query("UPDATE recentphoto SET temp='$varname2'");
}

TheDefender

Sorry, forgot to mention, mysql_fetch_row uses the index number and not the index name itself. Also, you don't need to assign the mysql_data_seek to a variable. To use the index name, use [man]mysql_fetch_assoc[/man]. Sorry about the confusion.

$qr = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM recent ORDER BY name"); 
$nrows = mysql_num_rows($qr); 
$rString = "n=".$nrows; 

$tab = $HTTP_POST_VARS['thisLetter']; 
if ($tab!=""){ 
mysql_data_seek($qr,0); 
$varname = mysql_fetch_assoc($qr); 
$varname2 = $varname["name"]; 
$query2 = mysql_query("UPDATE recentphoto SET temp='$varname2'"); 
}

$qr = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM recent ORDER BY name"); 
$nrows = mysql_num_rows($qr); 
$rString = "n=".$nrows; 

$tab = $HTTP_POST_VARS['thisLetter']; 
if ($tab!=""){ 
mysql_data_seek($qr,0); 
$varname = mysql_fetch_row($qr); 
$varname2 = $varname[0];  //Change this number to whatever number is the index you are looking for. 
$query2 = mysql_query("UPDATE recentphoto SET temp='$varname2'"); 
}

cpaoletto

Thanks, worked great!!!

TheDefender

You're welcome. Be sure to mark this thread resolved using the "Mark Thread Resolved" link at the bottom. Have a nice night.