Clarification of mysql_query() Result

[Michael42]

Hello,

When you use a command as $result=mysql_query($query); how could you accurately describe what is being returned ($result)? Exactly what does $result contain?

My guess is it is an array of values from the query. The manuals I have read through do not clearly spell this out.

Thanks for you feedback,

Michael42

 

[danielhozac]

It contains a number. This number is used by the libraries to identify which result set you want to manipulate/fetch data from.

//Daniel

 

[DRJ478]

The technical term for it is "result identifier".
It is most like to a "handle", like a file handle, and is used to access the result set with other mysql_ commands.
Thinking of it as a handle makes sense as it provides an access channel to an internal resource.

 

[Michael42]

Cool - thanks for the explanation all. It is very helpful!