get 1 string from a mysql query

Question

Wel all know that we have to use something like mysql_fetch_assoc to a mysql query to get an associative array and then use $row['foo'] and $row['bar'] to get every value.

Is there a way to optimize the query to get a simple string if we want to return a single column from a single row so that the result will be a simple var and not an associative array?

Thanks.

For the retrieval of a single value you've described, there seems to be no gain from any optimization, whatever it means. That seems to be the reason why a more straightforward approach is hard to find. Behind the scenes, the same DB mechanisms, drivers, cursors, etc. will be used anyway. — full.stack.ex
– full.stack.ex, Commented Oct 29, 2012 at 22:25
@full.stack.ex its not hard to find. Dont you know about mysql_result function? — Shiplu Mokaddim
– Shiplu Mokaddim, Commented Oct 29, 2012 at 22:27
But it "retrieves the contents of one cell from a MySQL result set." Same result set, just the access method is different. Without profiling, I'm not sure it would save any cycles or bytes. Not any substantial amount, perhaps. — full.stack.ex
– full.stack.ex, Commented Oct 29, 2012 at 22:31
@full.stack.ex if the result contains only single row and single column calling this function will certainly save cpu cycles for array access — Shiplu Mokaddim
– Shiplu Mokaddim, Commented Oct 29, 2012 at 22:36

Shiplu Mokaddim · Accepted Answer · 2012-10-29 22:30:22Z

2

Use mysql_result funciton

$res = mysql_query(..);
$str = mysql_result($res, 0, 0);

Here $str contains the first column of first row.

Also keep in mind that mysql_result will move the internal result pointer to point the next row.

edited Oct 29, 2012 at 22:30

answered Oct 29, 2012 at 22:23

Shiplu Mokaddim

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bumperbox · Accepted Answer · 2012-10-29 22:20:32Z

1

Note mysql_ extension is deprecated, you should use mysqli extension or PDO

$res = mysql_query($sql) or die(mysql_error());

list($val) = mysql_fetch_row($res);

answered Oct 29, 2012 at 22:20

bumperbox

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Joe · Accepted Answer · 2012-10-29 22:21:39Z

1

The short answer: No.

The long answer: No, but you can optimise the query a little by only returning the row you're looking for (SELECT my_column... then $row['my_column']). Other than that, you've got to lump it if you use MySQL.

answered Oct 29, 2012 at 22:21

Joe

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