[RESOLVED] Strange mysql statements

[ade234uk]

My boss bought an Auction script sometime ago. I was looking at the source code and the way calls are made to the database are shortened. I don't know how this works.

<?=get_user_id("SELECT user_id FROM users WHERE auctionid='".$_name['name']."'"); ?>

<? echo get_user_id; ?>

Just wondered if you have seen any arrangement of a mysql statement like this before. It shortened to cut down the amount of code I presume.

If this is case how do they work it in the first place because I would like to use it this way too.

[laserlight]

They are basically using PHP short tags with a short cut for printing to screen.

<?=get_user_id("SELECT user_id FROM users WHERE auctionid='".$_name['name']."'"); ?>

Is actually just:

<? echo get_user_id("SELECT user_id FROM users WHERE auctionid='".$_name['name']."'"); ?>

Due to possible conflicts with XML, and the fact that the normal PHP tags are always available but short tags may not be, I recommend not using the short tags. Just write:

<?php echo get_user_id("SELECT user_id FROM users WHERE auctionid='".$_name['name']."'"); ?>

As for the shortened calls to the database: you are just looking at a function that does the work. Nothing spectacular at all.

[ade234uk]

Thank you very much for the info.