$result = mysql_query... What is '$result'? An array?

[callumd]

Assume the following code:

<?php
$username="david";
$password="passwd123";
$database="dbase1";

mysql_connect(localhost,$username,$password);
@mysql_select_db($database) or die( "Unable to select database");

$query = "SELECT * FROM contacts";
$result=mysql_query($query);


mysql_close();


?>

What type of variable is $result? I assumed it was a multi-dimensional array, but why can't I echo one of its values to the browser by using:

echo $result[first][0];

(There is a field in the table called 'first').

Does the function mysql_query() create some sort of special data type that can only be used by other, pre-defined functions?

Thanks.

[NogDog]

...
Does the function mysql_query() create some sort of special data type that can only be used other, pre-defined functions?

Thanks.

Yes, it returns a "resource ID" which can then be used by any of the mysql_fetch_*() functions, and other functions such as mysql_data_seek() and mysql_num_rows().

[callumd]

Thanks NogDog,

Lightning quick answer, much appreciated.

Callum.

[NogDog]

No problem. See http://www.php.net/manual/en/functio...etch-assoc.php for a typical example of using a mysql_query() result.