Would like to know what this line does . . .

Matt_T

I'm interested in knowing what this line does,

$config=mysql_fetch_array(mysql_query("select * from sbclassified_config "));

It's giving me this error:

Warning: mysql_fetch_array(): supplied argument is not a valid MySQL result resource in /home2/racingri/public_html/styles.php on line 17

I believe it has something to do with "sbclassified_config" is that the database?

Thanks 🙂

rincewind456

sbclassified_config is a table name in the database, the error would normally be because there was no result from the query.

bradgrafelman

I always break MySQL communication into each step in PHP using individual variables, like so:

$query = 'select * from sbclassified_config';
$exec = mysql_query($query) or die('MySQL said: ' . mysql_error());

$config = mysql_fetch_array($exec);

This is especially true if you're looping through the result of the query, since you don't want to execute the query again, but just the fetching function.

Also note that I added some MySQL error debugging onto the exec part. This is the easiest way to debug MySQL errors PHP throws at you, as MySQL is usually a bit more descriptive when such an error occurs.

Rodney_H_

Yes, I second this. Brad's idea of using the "mysql_error()" is exactly what you need during development.

Then, during production, most devlopers use the "@" symbol prior to the mysql() functions, to suppress errors to prevent compromising security by showing possibly sensitive data to users that may then use that info to hack the application. SOmething like this (after you get it working):

<?php
// connect to DB and then:

$query = 'SELECT * FROM `sbclassified_config`';

$exec = @mysql_query($query) or die('Sorry. Database is not available.');

$config = @mysql_fetch_array($exec) or die('Sorry. Database is not available.');

?>

bradgrafelman

Well if you're talking about production environment, then don't use @ at all, but instead register your own custom error handler.

Then, you can make the error handler record errors, file names, and line numbers in a MySQL (or flat-file) database, while showing a nicely formatted (and yes, unrevealing) error message.