Re: Multiple Select Field

Hi, Monday, April 4, 2005, 2:58:36 AM, you wrote: RK> Please excuse the length and complexity of this post. I am facing a RK> complicated problem and need to find a solution. Also, I have posted this RK> on both PHP and MySQL boards so please overlook the possibly slightly RK> off-topic subject. RK> I have got one table that contains personal information about users. RK> Another table consists of a list of many interests. This table is composed RK> of simply 2 fields – an ID and the interest. (see below) RK> I can build an HTML form which includes a multiple select list out of which RK> the user can select their interests. I have the list configured so that it RK> displays the “interest” while the value stored is the “ID”. PHP stores this RK> entry as an Array which I can easily turn into a comma delimited list RK> before storing in the database. RK> Here’s my problem. If I store a comma-delimited list in a text field in the RK> Users table, how do I query to determine anyone that has selected specific RK> interests? If I use a full-text search and someone selects “1” for their RK> search criteria, the query will return anyone who selects 1, 10, 11, 12, RK> 13, 14, etc. as their interest. RK> This problem has surely occurred for others. It would affect how you store RK> newsletters for which one might subscribe, keywords in a clipart system, RK> interests the user has, anything from which you want your users to select RK> multiple entries from a long list of choices. RK> Table = Interests RK> Fields = ID, int, auto-increment RK> Interests, text RK> Table = Users RK> Fields = ID, int, auto-increment RK> Name, text RK> Address, text RK> Interests, text RK> Thanx in advance for any help you might provide. If anyone knows of RK> anything written on configuring this type of system, please include a link. RK> Robb RK> Digital IGUANA Create a third table which links the other two, it will make life easier for searches and stats and be a lot quicker. table = user_interests fields userid int, interestsid int primary index would be on both fields -- regards, Tom