PHP Trim data?

JustJay

Is it possible for PHP to limit the amount of data it pulls from the field in the DB?

Like when adding "Articles" or such to the DB - is there a way to show only the first paragraph or a certain number of words/characters?

Thanks, 😕

tomhath

I usually don't like to say RTFM, but sometimes... :evilgrin:

http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.0/en/string-functions.html

Try either the LEFT or SUBSTRING functions

thorpe

two places you can do it.

first, and much recommended is to use the SUBSTR function of mysql. this way you only get the data you need, nothing more.

examples from the manual.

mysql> SELECT SUBSTRING('Quadratically',5);
        -> 'ratically'
mysql> SELECT SUBSTRING('foobarbar' FROM 4);
        -> 'barbar'
mysql> SELECT SUBSTRING('Quadratically',5,6);
        -> 'ratica'        

mysql> SELECT SUBSTRING('Sakila', -3);
        -> 'ila'        

mysql> SELECT SUBSTRING('Sakila', -5, 3);
        -> 'aki'
mysql> SELECT SUBSTRING('Sakila' FROM -4 FOR 2);
        -> 'ki'

the other would be to use php's [man]substr/man function. works much the same way, but your throwing away memory compared to only getting what you need from your query.

JustJay

RTFM

Sure wouldnt have a problem with doing that if I knew what functions to look at....

JustJay

thorpe wrote:
two places you can do it.

first, and much recommended is to use the SUBSTR function of mysql. this way you only get the data you need, nothing more.

examples from the manual.
mysql> SELECT SUBSTRING('Quadratically',5);
        -> 'ratically'
mysql> SELECT SUBSTRING('foobarbar' FROM 4);
        -> 'barbar'
mysql> SELECT SUBSTRING('Quadratically',5,6);
        -> 'ratica'        

mysql> SELECT SUBSTRING('Sakila', -3);
        -> 'ila'        

mysql> SELECT SUBSTRING('Sakila', -5, 3);
        -> 'aki'
mysql> SELECT SUBSTRING('Sakila' FROM -4 FOR 2);
        -> 'ki'
the other would be to use php's [man]substr/man function. works much the same way, but your throwing away memory compared to only getting what you need from your query.

Cheers mate thanks!

JustJay

That works great on the page that only displays ONE RECORD from the DB.

Now what about on the page that shows numerous records from the DB. How do I get it to repeat the function for all records being displayed.....what is that even called?

Example: Todays News

Thanks....

justsomeone

f yuo're using the same query to extract each of the records, you should get the same result.

Post your code.