mysql_fetch_array

Synopsis

Returns

Array containing one row of query data; FALSE when out of array data or on error

Description

mysql_fetch_array() retrieves a row of data from a result handle returned by mysql_db_query() or mysql_query() . Depending on the value of the result_type argument, the row is returned as an associative array, a numerically indexed array, or both (the default). result_type can be set to one of the following constants: MYSQL_ASSOC, MYSQL_NUM, or MYSQL_BOTH. After the data is retrieved, the result handle's internal pointer is advanced one position. Each subsequent call to mysql_fetch_array() returns the next row in the result set. If there are no more results to return, the function returns FALSE.

If associative array data is returned, the column names are used as the keys for the array. If column names are duplicated, the data in the last column in the query sharing the name overwrites the other values. To access data from these types of queries, either use a numerically indexed array or alias the column names in your query. For example:

<pre>
<?php
// Contrived query
$result = mysql_query ("SELECT now() as a_time, curtime() as a_time");
var_dump (mysql_fetch_array ($result));
?>
</pre>

The output will look something like this:
array(3) {
  [0]=>
  string(19) "2001-11-04 16:31:31"
  ["a_time"]=>
  string(8) "16:31:31"
  [1]=>
  string(8) "16:31:31"
}

Notice that only one element with a key value of a_time is returned, and that its value is the value of the last field named a_time.

If both types are returned, the order of the keys will be numeric index, column_name, numeric index, column_name, etc.

Version

PHP 3+, PHP 4+

See also

Example

<pre>
<?php
// Included code that connects to a MySQL server and sets a default database
// See the MySQL Functions chapter introduction for the source code for the file
include ('mysql_connect.inc.php');

// Make a simple SELECT query
$query = "SELECT * FROM user ORDER BY login";
$mysql_result = @ mysql_query ($query)
    or die ("Query '$query' failed with error message: \"" . mysql_error () . '"');

// Show the default behavior of mysql_fetch_array()
// Grab one row from our result handle
$row = @ mysql_fetch_array ($mysql_result)
    or die ("Try a different query - this one did not return any rows.");

// Display the contents of the array stored in row
echo "The default behavior of mysql_fetch_array ():\n";
print_r ($row);

// Rewind the pointer on the result handle
mysql_data_seek ($mysql_result, 0);

// Now grab the same row as a numerically indexed array
echo "\n\n...with the MYSQL_NUM flag set:\n";
print_r (mysql_fetch_array ($mysql_result, MYSQL_NUM));

// Back up again and show the same row as an associatively indexed array
mysql_data_seek ($mysql_result, 0);
echo "\n\n...with the MYSQL_ASSOC flag set:\n";
print_r (mysql_fetch_array ($mysql_result, MYSQL_ASSOC));
?>
</pre>