Limit output

[ron bennett]

I am using PHP show descriptions from a database.The decscriptions are linked to another page and I need to limit the linked descriptions to a 50 (or 100) characters. I can't find the function, although I'm sure as soon as my boss stops looking over my shoulder I will. But just in case can someone help? Please? Thank you.

[LiamW]

www.php.net/strlen


*edit

sorry that should be www.php.net/substr