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08-23-2006, 07:53 PM

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PHP Help needed

I'm making a category addition onto my news script, but i need to (in the add category section) have the script tell the person to choose another name if the name was taken..

How would you query that?

08-23-2006, 08:03 PM

iisbum

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You can do this:

PHP Code:


			
select count(*) as count from your_table where your_name_field = '$nameVariable'

If the count is greater than 0, then the name is already taken.

HTH,
Mubs

08-23-2006, 10:38 PM

Andrew R

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^ That is probably the most effective way to do it.

Then just do, if($mysql_query > 0) { echo "Name taken..."; } else { // Commands }.

08-23-2006, 11:27 PM

Jeff Andersen

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Hmm i just tried that and when i submit anything now it gives me the "This has been submitted already" thing :S.

Regards,

edit:

Doing this right?

PHP Code:


			
$result=MYSQL_QUERY("select count(*) as count from cats where name = '".$_POST['name']."'");

if($result > 0) { 

#### Header

include('templates/header.htm');

print "<h3>Your category name has already been taken, please <a href=\"javascript:history.back();\">select another</a>.</h3><br>";

}

else

{

blah

}

08-24-2006, 12:07 AM

derek lapp

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you want to prevent someone from creating a category i the name already exists right?

i'd make something that follows this logic:

PHP Code:


			
/**

  * store the $_POST[] array in seperate variables so they're easier to work with.

  * use trim() to strip away any white space. i'd also use strtolower() and ucword to

  * ensure people don't use horrid casing like DOwnlAdS.

**/

$name = ucwords(strtolower(trim($_POST['name'])));

/**

   * the query is going to look for an exact match compared to what was

   * through the form. the reason i suggest the ucwords() & strtolower()

   * is because every title will follow the same naming convention and you

   * won't run into comparing Downloads to DoWNLoADs and failing your

   * cuplication check

**/

$query = "SELECT * from cats WHERE name = '$name'";

$result = mysql_query($query);



// check to see if we have a duplicate entry

if(count($result > 0) {

    require_once("templates/header.html");

    echo "<h3>Your category name has already been taken, please <a href=\"javascript:history.back();\">select another</a>.</h3><br>";

    exit();

} else {

    ** any other db queries go here. IE adding the entry

}