MySQL 'SET' datatype and PHP

[MrBelfry]

Hi there guys

I'm developing a php application for managing contacts. On of the fields in the db will contain title information ie 'Mr', 'Mrs', 'Dr' etc - I've used the set datatype to add a little bit of validation. Is there anyway that PHP can access the values I've entered as the set datatype or do these values need to be handcoded

MrBelfry

http://www.mrbelfry.co.uk

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[sleipnir214]

You can get MySQL to describe a set column using a query like:

SHOW COLUMNS FROM table_name LIKE 'set_column_name'

And parse the return.


However, keep in mind that unless you have a set of titles, you will have to keep changing the definition of your set when a new one comes along. This is a bad idea. In such case, I recommend using a related table to store titles.




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[MrBelfry]

Thanks sleipnir

I would have used a related table but I was feeling lazy. There would also be very few occasions when I would need to update the set of titles - once you get past Mr, Mrs, Ms, Mr & Mrs, Dr etc there are very few left.

However as I'd have to parse the results of the query anyway it is probably best to use a related table.

Thanks

MrBelfry

http://www.mrbelfry.co.uk

http://www.lighthousecc.co.uk

http://www.imagemagazine.co.uk