SELECT FROM WHERE HELP NEEDED

partano

$alpha = mysql_real_escape_string($_POST['fromotherpage]);

mysql_select_db("papers", $con);

$sql = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM login WHERE 'user'='$alpha'");

assuming its connecting to the database and the index field is user, I want the variable $alpha to be the search condition.

I have tried even the simplest command on the PHPmyadmin run SQL query and get the syntax error. I have tried like...

$alpha ="test" and get the error ..

#1064 - You have an error in your SQL syntax; check the manual that corresponds to your MySQL server version for the right syntax to use near '$alpha = "test"' at line 1

the end idea is to have the "WHERE 'user = '$alpha' " function work so I will retreive specifically that single record.

Neumy

SELECT * FROM login WHERE 'user'='$alpha'

You don't need the quotes around user.

SELECT * FROM login WHERE user='$alpha'

Some people and books (including myself) will use the ` key (the tilda key) around all their table fields. I don't know where it comes from or why, but it becomes habit.

SELECT * FROM `login` WHERE `user`='$alpha'

partano

without quote, with the tilde, still not working. how would I extract one single record for vieweing, when that record or id of the record comes from another webpage as in my origina example.🙁😕

Sxooter

Show us what new code you tried.

chetan1

SELECT * FROM login WHERE user=''$alpha''

check out the query

website design

leatherback

Just to make sure you have your database set up and the fields match and simple things like that.. Try in your phpmyadmin to just run the query:

select * from login where user="UserName"

All you do is replace the UserName with an actual name in the database (e.g., alpha exists, you run in the SQL of phpadmin:
select * from login where user="alpha"

If that works, add the line:

echo "select * from login where user='".$alpha."' limit 1";

and let us know what that results in.

Neumy

As Leatherback mentioned, a perfect way to troubleshoot this type of issue is to "echo" out the SQL statement. Most times, it becomes extremely obvious what the issue is (the variable is not correctly set / random inserted character / too many quotes or missing quotes / etc). If you still can't figure it out, launch your command-line SQL (or GUI) and execute the results. Sometimes it's easier to see where the error lies from the SQL Errors; or it's easier to manipulate your query and see the base results rather than other PHP errors or issues cropping in to the mix.

Hope that helps.