Choosing a database table dynamically by the value of a session variable

[rlm51]

I have a database with several tables designating different product categories. Within each table is many rows representing different products. I want to be able to choose product category table dynamically in a conditional statement based on the value of a session variable. I am using php in dreamweaver 8.

[Atli]

Hi.

Have you made any attempt at this yourself?
Could you explain what you have tried and why (how) it didn't work?

Please show us your code and your database structure.

[ronverdonk]

I also do not really understand the problem, but I don't know Dreamweaver. In pure PHP it would be something like:
[php]
$tabname =$_SESSION['category'];
$sql_stmt="SELE CT * FROM $tabname WHERE etc.......";
[/php]
Or don't I fully understand your problem?

Ronald

[rlm51]

Sorry ... I am fairly new at writing code outside of Dreamweavers built in server behaviors ...

I took your advice and

[code=php]
if ($_SESSION['skey'] = 1)
THEN ($tblname = ('tbl_1'));

elseif ($_SESSION['skey'] = 2)
THEN ($tblname = ('tbl_2'));

else ($tblname = ('tbl_3'));

end if;
[/code]
then do the sql insert into $tblname where key =; etc ...

However, I am getting this error:

Parse error: parse error, unexpected T_ENDIF in /home/content/w/o/o/woodwebsite/html/DeptSpecials/InsertData2.php on line 85


Do I have a syntax problem?

Thanks everyone for your help ... I am getting better!

[Atli]

The problem is in your if syntax.

You can read about the correct usage here, at php.net.

Here is a simple example of the correct usage:
[code=php]
<?php
$number = 2;

if($number < 5) {
echo "The number is less than five!";
}
else if($number >5) {
echo "The number is more than five!";
}
else {
echo "The number IS five!!";
}
?>
[/code]

[nathj]

Hi,

The IF structure is great when you want to branch the code in two. However, what you are doing is branching the code in many ways - there are more than two tables that could be selected. You would be better off using the SWITCH structure:

[php]
<?php

swith ($_SESSION['skey'])
{
case 1:
$tblname = 'tbl_1' ;
break ;
case 2:
$tblname = 'tbl_2' ;
break ;
case 3:
$tblname = 'tbl_3' ;
break ;
case 4:
$tblname = 'tbl_4' ;
break ;
default:
$tblname = 'tbl_5' ;
break ;
}
?>
[/php]
This would set the variable for you ready for what comes next. It is, as you can see, easier to understand and therefore maintain than a long if elseif... style structure.

Cheers
nathj

[rlm51]

Hey ...

I used the case statement and it worked. I did have to put it right at the top under the first

<?php require_once('. ./Connections/conn_specials.p hp'); ?>
<?php

It worked perfectly, and will provide the key to this whole application ... that's the second time I have gotten a solution from this forum. I am very grateful.

Thank you to Atli, Ronverdonk, and Nathj ...

Robert

[ronverdonk]

...... Thank you to Atli, Ronverdonk, and Nathj ...

Robert

That is why our community is here, to help each other.

Ronald

[nathj]

Hi,

I'm happy to have helped, it's a great forum you're right. I get loads of help from here so I'm happy to have given some back.

Cheers
nathj