Use of real_escape_string with mysqli object: php5, mysqli, real_escape

Use of real_escape_string with mysqli object

I keep getting the following error message when I call the mysqli function real_scape_string as shown in the code below:

"Fatal error: Call to a member function real_escape_string() on a non-object in /(HOST ADDRESS OMITTED)/processExpertZoneForm.php5 on line 15"

The database opens OK because without the call to the real_escape_string function everything appears to be fine. I'm sure that there's something elementary that I'm missing here!

<?php
// Open database connection
@ $db = new mysqli('a', 'b', 'c', 'd');    CONNECTION DETAILS OMITTED
 
/*********************** 
 
 DATA CLEANING FUNCTIONS
 
 ***********************/
function clean_data($string) 
{
  if (get_magic_quotes_gpc()) $string = stripslashes($string);
  $string = htmlentities($string);	// if text contains markup, neutralize it be conversion to html entities prior to insertion
  return $db->real_escape_string($string);
}
function remove_headers($string) { 
  $headers = array("/to\:/i","/from\:/i","/bcc\:/i","/cc\:/i","/Content\-Transfer\-Encoding\:/i","/Content\-Type\:/i","/Mime\-Version\:/i"); 
  return preg_replace($headers, '', $string);
} 
 
/**********************************************
 
 CLEAN AND INSERT POST VALUES INTO THE DATABASE
 
 **********************************************/
// Clean up the form data prior to insertion in the database
$topic = $_POST['topic'];	// numeric primary key value
$nameA = clean_data($_POST['name']);
$qEmailA = clean_data($_POST['email']);	// questioner's email address goes into database
$questionA = clean_data($_POST['question']);
 
// Insert values into database
$query = "INSERT INTO expertZone_QandA VALUES ('','".$topic."','".$questionA."','','".$nameA."','".$qEmailA."')";
$result = $db->query($query); 
if ($result)
{ 
	echo '<p>ITEM ADDED</p>';
	echo '<p>$name = '.$nameA.'</p>';
	echo '<p>$qEmail = '.$qEmailA.'</p>';
	echo '<p>$question = '.$questionA.'</p>';
	echo '<p>$topic_pk = '.$topic.'</p>';
}
 
// Close database connection
$db->close();

1:
2:
3:
4:
5:
6:
7:
8:
9:
10:
11:
12:
13:
14:
15:
16:
17:
18:
19:
20:
21:
22:
23:
24:
25:
26:
27:
28:
29:
30:
31:
32:
33:
34:
35:
36:
37:
38:
39:
40:
41:
42:
43:
44:
45:

Select all Open in new window

Instant Access to this Solution

Plus...

30 Day FREE access, no risk, no obligation

Collaborate with the world's top tech experts

Unlimited access to our exclusive solution database

Never be left without tech help again

Trusted by hundreds of thousands everyday for fast, accurate and reliable tech support.

"The time we save is the biggest benefit of Experts Exchange to Warner Bros. What could take multiple guys 2 hours or more each to find is accessed in around 15 minutes on Experts Exchange." Mike Kapnisakis, Warner Bros.

"Our team likes having a resource that is more secure than just using Google and most experts using this service really know their stuff. It's nice to look here first versus using Google." Dayna Sellner, Lockheed Martin

"Anytime that I've been stumped with a problem, 9 out of 10 times Experts Exchange has either the accepted solution or an open discussion of the potential solution to the problem." Kenny Red, eBay Inc.

See what Experts Exchange can do for you.

Got a question?

We've got the answer.

Experts Exchange has been collecting answers to technology questions since 1996…3 million and counting! If you have a question, chances are we already have your answer.

Screenshot of Experts Exchange Knowledgebase

Need individual assistance?

Our experts are ready to help.

If you can't find the exact answer you're looking for, ask our exclusive community of 50,000 experts. You’ll get a personalized answer from a trusted professional.

Want to learn from the best?

Read articles from industry experts.

Thousands of free tech tips, tricks, how-to’s and tutorials are available in our peer reviewed articles section. See for yourself how smart our experts are, no login required.

Working on a long term project?

Store your work and research.

Save solutions to your questions, answers you’ve discovered through searching plus helpful articles in your personal knowledgebase for easy future access.

Join the Community

Give a Little. Get a Lot.

Join the community of experts here and help other tech pros by answering question in your area of expertise. You can earn FREE access to all Experts Exchange's premium features and resources.

function clean_data($string) { if (get_magic_quotes_gpc()) $string = stripslashes($string); $string = htmlentities($string); // if text contains markup, neutralize it be conversion to html entities prior to insertion global $db; // Allow function access to global $db variable return $db->real_escape_string($string); }

Question

Use of real_escape_string with mysqli object

Subscribe now for full access to Experts Exchange and get

Instant Access to this Solution

php5

mysqli

real_escape_string

PHP and Databases

MySQL Server

SQL Query Syntax

Trusted by hundreds of thousands everyday for fast, accurate and reliable tech support.

See what Experts Exchange can do for you.

Got a question?

We've got the answer.

Need individual assistance?

Our experts are ready to help.

Want to learn from the best?

Read articles from industry experts.

Working on a long term project?

Store your work and research.

What Makes Experts Exchange Unique?

Trusted by the world's most respected brands.

Faithfully serving IT professionals since 1996.

Related Solutions

Free Tech Articles

Cloud Class Webinars

Join the Community

Give a Little. Get a Lot.

Answers

3 Ways to Join

The Experts

The Experts

Testimonials

Testimonials

Testimonials

Business Clients

Business Clients

In the Press

In the Press

In the Press