sql or search whichevA!

[Anon]

hi - im trying to run a search where one value is set and the other two are left up to whether a selection has been made.
i tried doing this :
SELECT * from TABLE where LEVEL='Grad' AND FIELD='$FIELD' OR AGENCY='$AGENCY
im asssuming this didnt work because of the AND and the OR being in the same statement.

aside from this topic though, heres the deal - i want to search my db based on which fields were selected. the thing with using OR is that it will choose ones that dont necessarily have all 3 choices in them but just ATLEAST ONE of the selections in it.
How can i go about rdoing this type of search ? if this isnt clear i can rephrase to anyone that may be kind enough to help. thanks.

[edwardsbc]

Build your SQL statement in increments depending on what the user provided.

$sql="SELECT * FROM TABLE WHERE level='Grad' ";

if (!empty($FIELD)) {
$sql.=" AND field='$FIELD'";
}

...etc....

In otherwords, don't try to write one query, but use script logic to generate the appropriate query. The ORs and ANDs will make the logic a bit more complex, but it is possible.