Web Design

309

CHAPTER

Adding Information from a Database 13

Why is the search variable in single quotation

marks in the query?

SQL requires that references to data in nonnumeric

fields be placed in single quotation marks in

queries. If the field on which you are searching

contains numeric data, you would omit the quotes.

Can I allow my user to search on more than one

field?

Yes, although doing so significantly complicates

your query. If you have two fields, you must account

for four possibilities: that your user enters

information into both fields, neither field, only the

first, or only the second. Although doing so is

possible, it can be difficult.

! Type $search =
$_POST[‘search’];.

@ Type $query = “SELECT
field1, field2 FROM
table WHERE field1 =
‘$search’”;, replacing
field1 and field2 with the
database fields you want to
return and table with the
table name.

The query is created.

8 In your editor, open a new
PHP document.

9 Within the body of the
document, type <?php.

0 Type include(“?”);,
replacing? with the path to
the database connection
page.

8

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TIPS