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What is the proper way to quote a variable used in a MySQL query?

Experts,

I made the mistake of naming some of my columns in my table with only numbers.

This is causing problems when trying to update the values in my table. I understand that I need to quote the column name but, I am going in circles.

Here's an example...the value of $template_id = 2

Here's my PHP query:

$update_template_matrix = "UPDATE db12.tblname SET ".$template_id."=1 WHERE id='".$id."'";

How do I quote the $template_id variable (which is a single digit) so that I can use it properly in this query?

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Dave Baldwin

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shishir_sri

Hey,

You need to use this character: `

So your query will become:

$update_template_matrix = "UPDATE db12.tblname SET `".$template_id."` =1 WHERE id='".$id."'";

Open in new window

You can also do this:

$update_template_matrix = "UPDATE db12.tblname SET `$template_id` =1 WHERE id='$id'";

Open in new window

Let me know if either of the two don't work.

best,
Shishir S.

evibesmusic

ASKER

@DaveBaldwin:

What keyboard strokes do you use to produce the back-tick?

Dave Baldwin

It's in the upper left corner of the US keyboard on the same key as ~ which is usually under the ESC key.

evibesmusic

ASKER

@DaveBaldwin:

Ahhh...yes...I've seen it many a times just never had a use for it until now.

Silly me for using a number-only naming convention for my table names...nothing like backtracking through a ton of code to fix this issue.

Thanks @DaveBaldwin!

evibesmusic

ASKER

Thanks!

Dave Baldwin

You're welcome. Note that many languages like javascript do not allow the first character of a variable name to be a number.