Re: search in serialized string

Rodrigo, Then the question to be asked is: is serialize()ing this data good design/technique, or is there a better way? Regards, =dn > by serialised I mean serialize(). This system wasn't created by me, and now > I need to put some features in it. When the user choose a language and his > skill level in it all information was stored in an array passed to > serialize() and them stored in DB. The problem now is that I can't do a > search in this serialized string. If I try to search by english->advanced > or I found everything that has english or everything that has the word > advanced. > > > on 8/24/02 11:45 AM, DL Neil at PHPml@DandE.HomeChoice.co.uk wrote: > > > Hi Rodrigo, > > > >> I have a form to post resumes. In one parte the user have a option to > > choose > >> up to 5 languages and his knowledge in it. example : english: basic > > advanced > >> .... > >> My problem is that was stored serialized in the BD and now I need to do a > >> search by language and knowledge. How can I do this. I've tried everything > >> unsuccessfully. example: search english advanced. If the user have english > >> basic and another advanced he/her appear in the search. > > > > > > Is it my imagination or have we seen this question posted to the list > > numerous times? > > > > Can we assume a "BD" means db/database? > > What do you mean by "serialised"? > > > > If I speak English very well and can managed basic greetings etc in Spanish > > would you enter both of my (supposed) language skills in one field or would > > each language appear in its own field/separate rows? > > > > If the table is properly designed/normalised, ie each language and level of > > skill is in its own field, then why can't you do something like: > > > > ...WHERE field LIKE "%english%" AND field LIKE "%advanced%" > > > > However I would think about having a field for language-name accompanied by > > another field for skill-level. This would get you away from those wild-cards > > and into faster queries that can use indexes, eg > > > > ...WHERE ( language = "english" ) AND ( level = "advanced" ) --or even "A" > > for advanced > > > > Perhaps if you gave us some examples of what you want to happen, and the > > code you are currently using, we could offer more specific information - > > repeating an unsuccessful question invites repetition of the non-answer! > > > > Regards, > > =dn > > > > -- > > >