How to Insert an Array Into MySQL in PHP
A PHP array is not formatted in such a way where you can easily insert its values into a MySQL table. Calling each array variable as part of an insert query can be lengthy, especially if the table has more than a few columns in it. Use the number of elements in the array to build a new string that contains all the elements in the array, whether it has five or 50 or any other number. Then call that variable as part of the MySQL query.
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Instructions
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1
Open the HTML file. Insert the cursor where you want to insert an array into MySQL. Type the following code:
<?php
$dbh = mysql_connect ($dbServer, $dbUser, $dbPassword);
mysql_select_db ($dbName);
Replace the variables with the values specific to your MySQL database. These lines open PHP and establish a connection to the database.
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2
Type the following code:
$arr = array("a", "b", "c", "d", "e");
$cnt = count($arr) - 1;
The first line creates a PHP array. Use any array in your PHP code as needed. The second line creates a variable that counts the number of elements in the array, minus one. Decreasing the count by one is important for the formatting of the final element in the array.
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3
Type the following code:
for ($i = 0; $i < $cnt; $i++) {
$myArr .= "'$arr[$i]', ";
}
$myArr .= "'$arr[$cnt]'";
The loop creates a new variable called $myArr that takes all but the last element in the array and formats them in a way better suited for use in an insert statement by putting each item in single quotes with a comma afterward. When the loop completes, the next line adds the final element from the array without appending the comma so as to not cause a syntax error in MySQL.
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4
Type the following code:
mysql_query("INSERT INTO test VALUES ($myArr);");
?>
These lines submit the insert query to the MySQL database then close the PHP tag.
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