populate php array
I know I should be using msqli but I will have to tackle that conversion later. With that said, I have the following code, but instead, I need it to be an array I can reference like $activityArray['ActivityID
$activityArray = array();
$sql = "SELECT ActivityID, Activity, TeamID, UnitOfMeasure
FROM Activities a
Left Join UnitsOfMeasure u on u.UOM=a.UOM
Order By (TeamID=2) desc, Activity
";
while($res = mysql_fetch_array($sql)) {
$activityArray[$res['ActivityID']] = ($res['Activity'];
} ASKER
I need to loop through the array several times and I want to make sure each fetch is the same each time (don't get any records that may be added between each fetch). So how would I store the fetch once and reference it in several loops?
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
gotcha... thanks for clarifying.
ASKER
it seems like the second time I use
while($activityArray = mysql_fetch_assoc($result)
it only loops once. Does it not know to go back to the beginning of the results each time? Is there a "moveFirst"?
while($activityArray = mysql_fetch_assoc($result)
it only loops once. Does it not know to go back to the beginning of the results each time? Is there a "moveFirst"?
ASKER
ahh.. found it:
mysql_data_seek($rstActivi
mysql_data_seek($rstActivi
Oh, you mean you're looping through the entire result set multiple times?
That's usually a sign that there's a better way to do what you're doing - you shouldn't really ever have to loop through a result set multiple times. That's going to be a performance hit, so if you want to post some code and a description of what you're doing, we might be able to provide some suggestions on how to avoid that.
However, if you just want to get the job done, then you need to use mysql_data_seek after you finish the loop:
mysql_data_seek($result, 0);
That will send the pointer back to row 0 and you should be able to loop through again.
That's usually a sign that there's a better way to do what you're doing - you shouldn't really ever have to loop through a result set multiple times. That's going to be a performance hit, so if you want to post some code and a description of what you're doing, we might be able to provide some suggestions on how to avoid that.
However, if you just want to get the job done, then you need to use mysql_data_seek after you finish the loop:
mysql_data_seek($result, 0);
That will send the pointer back to row 0 and you should be able to loop through again.
ASKER
I am using this to build a dynamic form.
I first loop through to create a header row. Then I loop through a Staff table and within that loop I then loop again through activities to build the columns in each Staff Row.
Part of the code can be found in another open question I have:
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/28627210/dynamic-form.html
I first loop through to create a header row. Then I loop through a Staff table and within that loop I then loop again through activities to build the columns in each Staff Row.
Part of the code can be found in another open question I have:
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/28627210/dynamic-form.html
I would recommend that you simply do one loop and build everything you need inside. For example:
$headerRow = null;
while($activityArray = mysql_fetch_assoc($result)
// Do we need to create the header row?
if($headerRow == null)
{
$headerRow = "<tr>";
$columnNames = array_keys($activityArray)
foreach($columnNames as $columnName)
{
$headerRow .= "<td>{$columnName}</td>";
}
$headerRow .= "</tr>";
}
// Your data-processing code can go here...
}
That way, you've looped through the result set (and all of the data) only once, but you've efficiently created your header row once within that same loop. The above is more of a principle than actual usable code for your situation, but just so you get an idea of how it might work.
Any time you have to loop through an array of data more than once, you are adding small amounts of performance problems to your script. It may not seem like much at first, but later on, it can make a big difference. So try to build as efficiently upfront as you can.
$headerRow = null;
while($activityArray = mysql_fetch_assoc($result)
// Do we need to create the header row?
if($headerRow == null)
{
$headerRow = "<tr>";
$columnNames = array_keys($activityArray)
foreach($columnNames as $columnName)
{
$headerRow .= "<td>{$columnName}</td>";
}
$headerRow .= "</tr>";
}
// Your data-processing code can go here...
}
That way, you've looped through the result set (and all of the data) only once, but you've efficiently created your header row once within that same loop. The above is more of a principle than actual usable code for your situation, but just so you get an idea of how it might work.
Any time you have to loop through an array of data more than once, you are adding small amounts of performance problems to your script. It may not seem like much at first, but later on, it can make a big difference. So try to build as efficiently upfront as you can.
ASKER
Good point. It is a little easier to read/follow right now, so I may wait until I get it completely working before implementing your suggestion.
Unfortunately I am learning all my web development by google searches and as Ray Paseur has mentioned, bad habits can be learned that way.
Unfortunately I am learning all my web development by google searches and as Ray Paseur has mentioned, bad habits can be learned that way.
ASKER
can you offer any suggesions on my other open question?
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/28627210/dynamic-form.html
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/28627210/dynamic-form.html
while($activityArray = mysql_fetch_assoc($sql)) {
// Now $activityArray should look like what you're expecting. Example:
echo $activityArray['ActivityID
}