retrieve column names from a table

Anon

Hi,
Does anyone knows how to get info about the columns of a table?
I need to know all column names of given table in order to compose a form.
I know that I can get this kind info if I perform this query, select * from mytable, and perform a ibase_field_info but if the table is empty I can\\'t do this way. Also, I just want the columns names not the values.
it should be a sql query that works like the isql command show table mytable.
I\\'m working with interbase6

Thanks.

Anon

If you are using ODBC to connect to your database, you can use the built-in odbc_field_name function to return a list of column names. Something like this should do the trick, although you may prefer to assign the results to an array rather than output them as I have done here:


$Number_of_Columns = odbc_num_fields($Database_Handle);

for ($Index = 1; $Index <= $Number_of_Columns; $Index++) {

  $Something = odbc_field_name($Database_Handle,$Index);

  echo "Column # $Index: $Something\n";

}

By the way, just as a security precaution, you should probably be very careful about who you allow to see the table names in your database, variable names, etc.

Anon

OK, thanks

I am using it inside a php script. I'll try to find out some similar routine for interbase.

Anon

: I am using it inside a php script.

I figured as much; that is why I gave you some PHP code. 😉

While perhaps not ideal, you could use both ODBC and Interbase-specific functions to connect to your database.

I have not been able to find an Interbase equivalent to the odbc_field_name function, but that doesn't mean it cannot be done. Good luck! 🙂

Anon

Nope... unless I have at least one record to pull out from the table I cannot use the ibase equivalent function...
too bad! I just need some info about a particular table and I will have to change my code...

Anon

Thanks to Meir Kriheli,

The solution is within the interbase system tables:

select RDB$FIELD_NAME from RDB$RELATION_FIELDS where RDB$RELATION_NAME = 'mytable';

and thanks for looking it out Brian.