PHP - How To Create Search Functionality In Php And Mysql And The Search Result Will Be On Another Page Apart From The Search Page

Hello. I am working on a php script for searching a database table. I am really new to this, so I used the this tutorial http://www.phpfreaks.com/tutorial/simple-sql-search

I managed to get all the things working the way I wanted, except one important and crucial thing.
Let me explain.
My table consist of three columns, like this:

ID(bigint20)    title(text)        link (varchar255)
=============================
ID1                title1                link-1
ID2                title2                link-2
etc...

Like I said, I managed to make the script display results for a search query based on the title. Want I want it to do more, but I can't seem to find the right resource to learn how, is to place a "Download" button under each search result with its corresponding link from the table.

Here is the code I used.

<?php

$dbHost = 'localhost'; // localhost will be used in most cases
// set these to your mysql database username and password.
$dbUser = 'user'; 
$dbPass = 'pass';
$dbDatabase = 'db'; // the database you put the table into.
$con = mysql_connect($dbHost, $dbUser, $dbPass) or trigger_error("Failed to connect to MySQL Server. Error: " . mysql_error());

mysql_select_db($dbDatabase) or trigger_error("Failed to connect to database {$dbDatabase}. Error: " . mysql_error());
// Set up our error check and result check array
$error = array();
$results = array();
// First check if a form was submitted. 
// Since this is a search we will use $_GET
if (isset($_GET['search'])) {
   $searchTerms = trim($_GET['search']);
   $searchTerms = strip_tags($searchTerms); // remove any html/javascript.
   
   if (strlen($searchTerms) < 3) {
      $error[] = "Search terms must be longer than 3 characters.";
   }else {
      $searchTermDB = mysql_real_escape_string($searchTerms); // prevent sql injection.
   }
   
   // If there are no errors, lets get the search going.
   if (count($error) < 1) {
      $searchSQL = "SELECT title, link FROM db WHERE title LIKE '%{$searchTermDB}%'";

      $searchResult = mysql_query($searchSQL) or trigger_error("There was an error.<br/>" . mysql_error() . "<br />SQL Was: {$searchSQL}");
      
      if (mysql_num_rows($searchResult) < 1) {
         $error[] = "The search term provided {$searchTerms} yielded no results.";
      }else {
         $results = array(); // the result array
         $i = 1;
         while ($row = mysql_fetch_assoc($searchResult)) {
            $results[] = "{$row['title']}<br /> Download - this is the button I want to link to the title results - and maybe other links too - <br /> ";

    $i++;

       

   
         }
      
      }
   }
}

function removeEmpty($var) {
   return (!empty($var)); 


}
?>

      <?php echo (count($error) > 0)?"The following had errors:<br /><span id=\"error\">" . implode("<br />", $error) . "</span><br /><br />":""; ?>
      <form method="GET" action="search?" name="searchForm">
         Search for title: <input type="text" name="search" value="<?php echo isset($searchTerms)?htmlspecialchars($searchTerms):''; ?>" />
        
         <input type="submit" name="submit" value="Search" />
      </form>

    <?php echo (count($results) > 0)?"Rezultate lucrari de licenta sau disertatie pentru {$searchTerms} :<br /><br />" . implode("", $results):""; ?>




 $results = array(); // the result array
         $i = 1;
         while ($row = mysql_fetch_assoc($searchResult)) {
            $results[] = "{$row['title']}<br /> Download - this is the button I want to link to the title results - and maybe other links too - <br /> ";

    $i++;

 
I would like the results to be displayed like this

Results for SearchItem:

Result 1
Download | Other link
Result 2
Download | Other link
etc.... or something like this.

So, how do I add the data from the link row into a text(Dowload), within an <a href> tag (well, at least I guess it would go this way) ?
My first tries (fueled by my lack of knowledge) where things like

$results[] = "{$row['title']}<br /> <a href="{$row['link']}">Download</a> <br /> ";

but I keep getting lots of errors, and then I don't know much about arrays and stuff (except basic notions);
So there it is. I am really stuck and can't seem to find any workaround for this.
Any suggestions? (examples, documentation, anything would do, really)
Thanks,
Radu

I have a multiple choice search page which asks visitors to select one or more choices before rendering the search results. It only works in items 1+2 are selected, or 1+2+3, or 1+2+3+4, or 1+2+3+4, etc...

I want to make it so that any combination of choices work. Example: Items 1+6 or 2+3+5 or 1+4+6 etc...

I have four hours to fix it before my client shows up and need help BADLY.

Anyone out there who can help? Whoever can help me... you are the best and I will have a special prayer for you tonight.

Here is the coding:

<?php } else{
if(!empty($_GET['latt']) && !empty($_GET['long']))
{

$condition="SELECT ( 3959 * acos( cos( radians(  '".$_GET['latt']."' ) ) * cos( radians( latitude ) ) * cos( radians( longitude ) - radians(  '".$_GET['long']."' ) ) + sin( radians( '".$_GET['latt']."' ) ) * sin( radians( latitude ) ) ) ) as distance,id,membership FROM notary_members ";

   if(!empty($_GET['s']))
   {
      $a=" where and";
   }
   else
   {
      $a=" where";
   }
   if($_GET['edoc']!='')
   {
      $condition.=$a." edoc= 'yes'";
   }
   if($_GET['esign']!='')
   {
      if($_GET['edoc']!='')
         $condition.=" and esign= 'yes'";
      else
         $condition.=$a." esign= 'yes'";
   }
   if($_GET['laserprinter']!='')
   {
      if($_GET['esign']!='' || $_GET['edoc']!='')
         $condition.=" and laserprinter= 'yes'";
      else
         $condition.=" laserprinter= 'yes'";
   }
   if($_GET['dualtray']!='')
   {
      if( $_GET['laserprinter']!='' || $_GET['esign']!='' || $_GET['edoc']!='')
         $condition.=" and dualtray= 'yes'";
      else
         $condition.=" dualtray= 'yes'";
   }
   if($_GET['error_in']!='')
   {
      if($_GET['dualtray']!='' || $_GET['laserprinter']!='' || $_GET['esign']!='' || $_GET['edoc']!='')
         $condition.=" and error_in= 'yes'";
      else
         $condition.=" error_in= 'yes'";
   }
   if($_GET['bg_checked']!='')
   {
      if($_GET['error_in']!='' || $_GET['dualtray']!='' || $_GET['laserprinter']!='' || $_GET['esign']!='' || $_GET['edoc']!='')
         $condition.=" and bg_checked= 'yes'";
      else
         $condition.=" bg_checked= 'yes'";
   }
   if($_GET['home_insp']!='')
   {
      if($_GET['bg_checked']!='' || $_GET['error_in']!='' || $_GET['dualtray']!='' || $_GET['laserprinter']!='' || $_GET['esign']!='' || $_GET['edoc']!='')
         $condition.=" and home_insp= 'yes'";
      else
         $condition.=" home_insp= 'yes'";
   }
   if($_GET['fingerprint']!='')
   {
      if($_GET['home_insp']!='' || $_GET['bg_checked']!='' || $_GET['error_in']!='' || $_GET['dualtray']!='' || $_GET['laserprinter']!='' || $_GET['esign']!='' || $_GET['edoc']!='')
         $condition.=" and fingerprint= 'yes'";
      else
         $condition.=" fingerprint= 'yes'";
   }
   if($_GET['hosp_signing']!='')
   {
      if($_GET['fingerprint']!='' || $_GET['home_insp']!='' || $_GET['bg_checked']!='' || $_GET['error_in']!='' || $_GET['dualtray']!='' || $_GET['laserprinter']!='' || $_GET['esign']!='' || $_GET['edoc']!='')
         $condition.=" and hosp_signing= 'yes'";
      else
         $condition.=" hosp_signing= 'yes'";
   }
   if($_GET['jail_signing']!='')
   {
      if($_GET['hosp_signing']!='' || $_GET['fingerprint']!='' || $_GET['home_insp']!='' || $_GET['bg_checked']!='' || $_GET['error_in']!='' || $_GET['dualtray']!='' || $_GET['laserprinter']!='' || $_GET['esign']!='' || $_GET['edoc']!='')
         $condition.=" and jail_signing= 'yes'";
      else
         $condition.=" jail_signing= 'yes'";
   }
   if($_GET['im_docs']!='')
   {
      if($_GET['jail_signing']!='' || $_GET['hosp_signing']!='' || $_GET['fingerprint']!='' || $_GET['home_insp']!='' || $_GET['bg_checked']!='' || $_GET['error_in']!='' || $_GET['dualtray']!='' || $_GET['laserprinter']!='' || $_GET['esign']!='' || $_GET['edoc']!='')
         $condition.=" and im_docs= 'yes'";
      else
         $condition.=" im_docs= 'yes'";
   }
   if($_GET['jail_signing']!='' || $_GET['hosp_signing']!='' || $_GET['fingerprint']!='' || $_GET['home_insp']!='' || $_GET['bg_checked']!='' || $_GET['error_in']!='' || $_GET['dualtray']!='' || $_GET['laserprinter']!='' || $_GET['esign']!='' || $_GET['edoc']!='' || $_GET['im_docs']!='')
   {
    $condition.=" and status=1 order by distance asc";
    }
    else
    {
    $condition.=$a." status=1 order by distance asc";
    }

   $sql=mysql_query($condition);
   $num=mysql_num_rows($sql);
   $getmile=explode(' ',$_GET['miles']);
   
        $c=0;
        while($getidres=mysql_fetch_array($sql))
      {
          if($getidres['distance']<=$getmile[0])
        {
            if($getidres['membership']=='premium')
            {
            $prefirst[$getidres['id']]=$getidres['distance'];
            $c++;
            }
            else
            {
            $basicfirst[$getidres['id']]=$getidres['distance'];
             $c++;
            }
        }
        }
      
      if(!empty($sql))
     {
      
          if($c!=0)
         {
            if(!empty($prefirst) || !empty($basicfirst))
            { ?>

Hi all

How do I modify the below code to search multiple tables in mySQL database?

$query = "select * from store_items where description like \"%$trimmed%\"  or title like \"%$trimmed%\" or dimensions like \"%$trimmed%\" order by id ASC";

 $numresults=mysql_query($query);
 $numrows=mysql_num_rows($numresults);

It is for a search function and I need it to search another table called 'about_text' and 'faq_text'

Thanks
Pete

I am seeking to learn more about the noted subject, how to use PHP to allow a user to enter search terms and search a database.  I have experimented with this with little results save for errors.  Please see code listed below:

search.php
<?
//// filename = search.php
<form method="post" action="result.php3">
<select name="metode" size="1">
<option value="row_name1">metode1</option>
<option value="row_name2">metode2</option>
</select>
<input type="text" name="search" size="25">
<input type="submit" value="Begin Searching!!">
</form>
?> 

results.php
//// filename = result.php3
<?
$hostname = "mysql7.000webhost.com"; // Usually localhost.
$username = "a4542527_root"; // If you have no username, leave this space empty.
$password = "*******"; // The same applies here.
$usertable = "people"; // This is the table you made.
$dbName = "a4542527_test1"; // This is the main database you connect to.
MYSQL_CONNECT($hostname, $username, $password) OR DIE("Unable to connect to database");
@mysql_select_db( "$dbName") or die( "Unable to select database");
?>
<?
//error message (not found message)
$XX = "No Record Found";
$query = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM $usertable WHERE $metode LIKE '%$search%' LIMIT 0, 30 ");
while ($row = mysql_fetch_array($query))
{
$variable1=$row["row_name1"];
$variable2=$row["row_name2"];
$variable3=$row["row_name3"];
print ("this is for $variable1, and this print the variable2 end so on...");
}

//below this is the function for no record!!
if (!$variable1)
{
print ("$XX");
}
//end
?>

Upon viewing search.php I receive the error message:
Parse error: syntax error, unexpected '<' in /home/a4542527/public_html/search.php on line 3

I believe I may be missing something and am a bit lost.
Thank-you in in advance for any help or suggestions.
~Matty

Hello all brilliant minds,

I'm a new in all this world of DB and coding and always i tried to avoid it because I think it is very hard (I'm trying to change now).

problem: I have a text file (log.txt) have data like below
========================================
> rtrv-ls

Command Accepted - Processing

    OXX 12-02-21 08:44:41 EST  EAGLE5 42.0.1-63.38.31
    rtrv-ls
    Command entered at terminal #7.
;

    OXX 12-02-21 08:44:41 EST  EAGLE5 42.0.1-63.38.31

                                                   L3T  SLT              GWS GWS GWS
    LSN           APCI   (SS7)  SCRN SET SET BEI LST LNKS ACT MES  DIS SLSCI NIS
    gtcen1pls     7-010-4       none 1    2    no   D    2        off   off   off    no    off
    gtgdv1pls     7-010-5       none 1    2    no   D    2        off   off   off    no    off

> rtrv-sid

Command Accepted - Processing

    OXX 12-02-21 08:43:43 EST  EAGLE5 42.0.1-63.38.31
    rtrv-sid
    Command entered at terminal #7.
;

    OXX 12-02-21 08:43:43 EST  EAGLE5 42.0.1-63.38.31
       PCA                       PCI          PCN                CLLI              PCTYPE
       010-010-010     7-055-1      01830              crher1p           OTHER
;
.
.
may output like this starting always with >

===================================================
Then I have SQL DB that have column with "rtrv-ls" and "rtrv-sid"

Requirement :

A) Use Php to open the .txt file, I used HTML form so the user can upload the file on the browser then
B) Search for the column name as pattern
C)Send query to MYSQL to update DB with Data for each column
D) Query the Mysql for several possible outputs (I've done this part using HTML form and simple php code as below.

<?php

// If we got a GET request on the page from HTML part of the code, we will want to store the data in a variable e.g $my_country
// So country will be passed via GET and will be stored in $my_country variable.

$host="localhost";
$con_usr="aomar";
$con_pass="nokia";

if ($_POST)   {
            $user_input = $_POST['my_log'] ;

// We use the request to search in Database and return the result, First step we need to connect to the database //

                $connect = mysql_connect ($host,$con_usr,$con_pass);
   
// Then we need to select database to run the query and return the result the connection stored in the $connect ressource //
   
if ($connect) {
              mysql_select_db("eagle",$connect);

// We store the query in variable $query becuase is it quite long text; we actually attach our varaiable $my_log passed from HTML //
         
              $query = "SELECT `".$user_input."` FROM `ss7`";

         //$update="INSERT INTO ss7 ('".$user_input."') VLAUES (';


// SO if user selected Egypt it will be stored in (name=my_country) variable from HTML and will be send via GET
// Then we store the query results in a variable called $result      
       
          $result = mysql_query ($query) ;
   

 $arr= mysql_fetch_array($result);
 
       
         echo nl2br ($arr["$user_input"]);
 
 
//Finally we return what we want from the array.
// Print the output as we wish. in case of row data like STP output, use the nl2br to preserve the output as it was written to MYSQL DB
// We need to check if the Query return no value (!$arr) , and print corresponding action

     
 
 
   
}
//================SECONED PART WHEN I LOAD THE LOG FILE TO BE STORED IN MYSQL================//


   
//close the db
mysql_close ($connect);
}
?>



<html>
<body>
<form action = "eagle.php?pmode=my_file" method = "POST"   enctype="multipart/form-data>
<fieldset>
<legend> Enter you log file here and click Save: </br> </legend>
<label for="my_file"> This Is My Capture File </label>
<input type = "file" name ="my_file" style=margin:auto > </input><br/><br/>
<input type="submit" value="Upload file">
</fieldset>
</form>
</body>
</html>   




<html>
<body>

<title>Eagle Data Base Store</title>
<form action = "eagle.php?pmode=my_log" method = "POST">
<fieldset>
<legend> Please Select the DB you would like to retrive </legend>
<br/><br/>
   <input type = "radio" name ="my_log" value = "rtrv-serial-num">Serial-Num</input>
    <input type = "radio" name ="my_log" value = "rtrv-stp">rtrv-stp</input>
   <input type = "radio" name ="my_log" value = "rtrv-feat">rtrv-feat</input>
   <input type = "radio" name ="my_log" value = "rtrv-dstn">rtrv-dstn</input>
   <input type = "radio" name ="my_log" value = "rtrv-rte">rtrv-rte</input>
   <input type = "radio" name ="my_log" value = "rtrv-trm">rtrv-trm</input>
   <input type = "radio" name ="my_log" value = "rtrv-slk">rtrv-slk</input><br/> <br/>
   <input type = "radio" name ="my_log" value = "rtrv-ls">rtrv-ls</input>
   <input type = "radio" name ="my_log" value = "rtrv-sccpopts">rtrv-sccpopts</input>
   <input type = "radio" name ="my_log" value = "rtrv-stpopts">rtrv-stpopts</input>
   <input type = "radio" name ="my_log" value = "rtrv-gsmopts">rtrv-gsmopts</input>
   <input type = "radio" name ="my_log" value = "rtrv-cmd">rtrv-cmd</input>
   <input type = "radio" name ="my_log" value = "rtrv-assoc">rtrv-assoc</input><br/> <br/>
   <input type = "radio" name ="my_log" value = "rtrv-gpl">rtrv-gpl</input>
   <input type = "radio" name ="my_log" value = "rtrv-ip-host">rtrv-ip-host</input>
   <input type = "radio" name ="my_log" value = "rtrv-ip-lnk">rtrv-ip-lnk</input>
   <input type = "radio" name ="my_log" value = "rtrv-secu-trm">rtrv-secu-trm</input>
   <input type = "radio" name ="my_log" value = "rtrv-secu-user">rtrc-secu-user</input>
   <input type = "radio" name ="my_log" value = "rept-stat-sys">rept-stat-sys</input><br/><br/>
   <input type = "radio" name ="my_log" value = "rept-stat-clk">rept-stat-clk</input>
   <input type = "radio" name ="my_log" value = "rtrv-ctrl-feat">rtrv-ctrl-feat</input>
   <input type = "radio" name ="my_log" value = "rtrv-tabl-capacity">rtrv-tabl-capacity</input><br/><br/>

   <input type = "submit" value = "Show Selected Table"/>
   
</fieldset>
</form>
</body>
</html>   

==========================================END OF CODE===========================

*** Sorry for the many comments but I want to be sure I remember why I do that .

You help is much appreciated
(Please note that need to understand more than I need the Code itself)