PHP SQL unexpected T_STRING Error

Question

I keep getting the error

Parse error: syntax error, unexpected T_STRING on line #9

This is the line that is attempting to add the column. I have double, and triple checked that the table does indeed exist - and that I am able to access it.

<?php

mysql_connect ("localhost","user","pass") or die ('Error: ' . mysql_error());

echo "connected to database!";

mysql_select_db ("database");

      $query = ALTER TABLE CustomerInformation
 ADD supplier_name varchar2(50);


      $result = mysql_query($query) 
        or die("altering table Customer Information not successful: ".
        mysql_error()); 

?>

cusimar9 · Accepted Answer · 2011-06-12 21:43:44Z

7

This is your problem

$query = ALTER TABLE CustomerInformation ADD supplier_name varchar2(50);

should be changed to

$query = 'ALTER TABLE CustomerInformation ADD supplier_name varchar2(50)';

Your $query variable holds a STRING which is passed to mysql_query and used as a command.

answered Jun 12, 2011 at 21:43

cusimar9

5,2876 gold badges26 silver badges31 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

3 Comments

glortho Over a year ago

should actually be 'ALTER TABLE CustomerInformation ADD supplier_name varchar2(50)';

user725913 Over a year ago

!!! Awesome! Thank you so much! How can I be sure when I need to use " ' " vs quotations in PHP?

cusimar9 Over a year ago

You always use quotes to enclose string values. Only functions / variables / constants / reserved words are not.

Shef · Accepted Answer · 2011-06-12 21:45:40Z

1

Change:

$query = ALTER TABLE CustomerInformation
 ADD supplier_name varchar2(50);

to

$query = 'ALTER TABLE CustomerInformation ADD supplier_name varchar2(50)';

answered Jun 12, 2011 at 21:45

Shef

45.7k15 gold badges82 silver badges91 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

PHP SQL unexpected T_STRING Error

2 Answers 2

3 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

3 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related