[RESOLVED] Simple PHP MySQL question - table search?

robmarston

I have a MySQL database, in it I have a table with a section for usernames. I'd like to search that row for a certain username and perform an action ONLY if the username is NOT already present.

This is for a sign-up form.

In other words, if the username exists, stop and inform tell the user to select another name.

I have the connection working, the table built, and the message to echo. All I need is the search.

I know how to do something like SELECT * FROM example WHERE username LIKE $_POST['username'] but what comes next?

PLEASE HELP!

bradgrafelman

What specifically are you trying to do? Only allow a user to singup if a username isn't already taken?

What I commonly suggest in this situation is to add a UNIQUE key to the username column, and for the singup just do a normal INSERT query. Check if MySQL returned back error #1062 (duplicate entry for key); if so, the username is already taken and you should display an error message.

robmarston

Yes, that's exactly what I'm doing.

Would there be a way to customize the error message? Or display my message if the error occurs?

I just don't want an ugly error to pop up, I want it to just say something like, "Please select another username, this one is already in use."

bradgrafelman

Well the error message would be all yours...

$query = 'INSERT INTO ...';
$exec = mysql_query($query);

if(!$exec && mysql_errno() == 1062) {
    echo "Sorry, that name is already taken!";
} else {
    // no errors, row was inserted
}

robmarston

You're a genius, thank you!