newbie sql error - wrong syntax in select query

[cassbiz]

I am having a problem getting a simple form to work. I keep getting an error in the select statement.

Error performing query: Unknown column '$zip' in 'where clause'

below is my code and it is driving me nuts. What am I doing wrong?

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Edited for eadability reasons.[php]
<form action="<?php echo $_SERVER['PHP_SELF']; ?>" method="post">
<label>Please type in your billing Zip Code:<br />
<input type="text" name="zip" />
</label><br />
<input type="submit" value="Submit" />
</form>

<?

$zip = $_POST['zip'];

echo '<p>Zip Code:</p>';

// Request Zip Code Information
$result = @mysql_query('SELECT zip, city, state FROM zip WHERE zip=$zip');
if (!$result) {
exit('<p>Error performing query: ' .
mysql_error() . '</p>');
}

// Display the text of zip in a paragraph
while ($row = mysql_fetch_array($result)) {
echo '<p>' . $row['zip'], $row['city'], $row['state']. '</p>';
}

?>
[/php]

In the select statement, if I type in the value directly it works fine.


Thanks in advance
Frank Casser

[cassbiz]

The 'zip' field is an INT field and is also the primary key.

I see what I did wrong and now the script is working. I used a ' instead of a " and that threw everything off.

One more question if I may.

echo '<p>' . $row['zip'], $row['city'], $row['state']. '</p>';
 

is there a way to write the output into straight HTML ?

[ronverdonk]

But your output line generates straight HTML or do you mean something else?

Ronald :cool:

[cassbiz]

But your output line generates straight HTML or do you mean something else?

Ronald :cool:

In regards to formatting the string, I would like to add spacing and change the font.

[ronverdonk]

You can do that either by
1. having a CSS class defined before and using that class in your echo:

[php]echo "<p class='xyz'>{$row['zip']}, {$row['city']}, {$row['state']}'</p>";[/php]

2. Defining the CSS characteristics directly in a style attribute of the <p> tag:

[php]echo "<p style='font-family:verdana,arial,sans serif; font-size:12px;font-weight:bold;'>{$row['zip']}, {$row['city']}, {$row['state']}'</p>";[/php]

Ronald :cool:

[cassbiz]

Thanks Ron,

It just appeared that I was using too many single quotes. I appreciate the help.