MySQL where wildcard - Codewalkers

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November 12th, 2003, 09:13 PM

Dicky

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MySQL where wildcard

I am running a select query as follows:

php Code:

Original - php Code
$result = mysql_query("SELECT count(*) as count FROM diary WHERE category = '$cat'",$db);

 
$result = mysql_query("SELECT count(*) as count FROM diary WHERE category = '$cat'",$db);

The $cat variable will hold a user selected category. The problem I have is if no category has been selected what can I use as a wild card such as * to select all the records?

This MUST be loaded to the $cat variable and not be a change in the SQL statement.

Any help much appreciated.

November 12th, 2003, 11:21 PM

honcho

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RE: MySQL where wildcard

There are two wildcard characters in MySQL: _ and %

_ (underscore) takes the places of exactly one character.
% takes the places of 0 or more characters.
(If you use wildcards, you need to use LIKE as the comparison operator instead of = )

So, category LIKE 'c?t' will match cat, cot, cut
and category LIKE 'p%t' will match pt, pat, pet, pit, past, etc.

November 13th, 2003, 03:51 AM

nazly

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RE: MySQL where wildcard

Simply for your case you can do something else like this..

php Code:

Original - php Code
$query="SELECT count(*) as count FROM diary"; if(isset($cat))$query.=" WHERE category = '$cat'"; $result = mysql_query($query,$db);

 
$query="SELECT count(*) as count FROM diary";
if(isset($cat))$query.=" WHERE category = '$cat'";
$result = mysql_query($query,$db);

Quote:

This MUST be loaded to the $cat variable and not be a change in the SQL statement.

But I'm not sure why you have mentioned this..

November 13th, 2003, 12:46 PM

Dicky

Join Date: Apr 2007

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RE: MySQL where wildcard

Thanks for your help.

I am already using the option you have suggested Nazly. I was hoping for something bit tidier but it looks like it does not exist - maybe one day.

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