Replacing Empty Database Cell with Variable

[geosite]

Suppose you have a column in a database table that includes some empty cells. Is there a way to devise your query or dynamic table display so that each empty cell displays a certain value?

In particular, I have a table with nicknames and quotes for all the world's nations and states. But cells representing jurisdictions for which I haven't yet tracked down a nickname or quote will feature something like this instead:

<a href="<?php echo "$suggest" ?>">(“Suggest a Quote”)</a>

But it would be so much simpler if I could leave these cells empty, then insert this code with my query or dynamic table code. So Alaska would display its nickname ("Land of the Midnight Sun"), while Kenya's blank cell would be replaced by <a href="<?php echo "$suggest" ?>">(“Suggest a Quote”)</a>

I just don't know how to do it. Any tips?

Thanks.

[Darchangel]

lemme know if i'm missing something, but it seems like you can fix this with an if statement:

if(!isset($quote) || trim($quote) == '')
{ echo("<a href=\"suggestpage.php?id=$rowid\">(Suggest a Quote)</a>"); }

[geosite]

lemme know if i'm missing something, but it seems like you can fix this with an if statement:

if(!isset($quote) || trim($quote) == '')
{ echo("<a href=\"suggestpage.php?id=$rowid\">(Suggest a Quote)</a>"); }

Thanks. Now let me see if I can figure out how to plug that in.

Here's the code I use for my nicknames/subtitles and quotes:

  <div class="subtitle" id="sub<?php echo "$mycode" ?>"><span class="subspan">
  <?php foreach ($data as $r) { print $r['Nickname']; } ?></span></div>
  <div class="quotewrap" id="qwrap<?php echo "$mycode" ?>">
    <div class="quote" id="q<?php echo "$mycode" ?>">
<?php foreach ($data as $r) { print $r['Quote']; } ?>
    </div>
    <div class="sig" id="sig<?php echo "$mycode" ?>">
<?php foreach ($data as $r) { print $r['Signature']; } ?>
    </div>
  </div>

Using your fix, would I change it to something like this?:

  <div class="subtitle" id="sub<?php echo "$mycode" ?>"><span class="subspan">

if(!isset($nickname) || trim($nickname) == '')
{ echo("<a href=\"suggestpage.php?id=$rowid\">(Suggest a Nickname)</a>"); }

// I simply deleted this: <?php foreach ($data as $r) { print $r['Nickname']; } ?></span></div>

  <div class="quotewrap" id="qwrap<?php echo "$mycode" ?>">
    <div class="quote" id="q<?php echo "$mycode" ?>">

if(!isset($quote) || trim($quote) == '')
{ echo("<a href=\"suggestpage.php?id=$rowid\">(Suggest a Quote)</a>"); }

// And I deleted this: <?php foreach ($data as $r) { print $r['Quote']; } ?>

    </div>
    <div class="sig" id="sig<?php echo "$mycode" ?>">
<?php foreach ($data as $r) { print $r['Signature']; } ?>
    </div>
  </div>

Thanks!

[Darchangel]

sorry, didn't know you were putting it in the middle of html. in that case, don't forget to surround the code with <?php ?>

also, i obviously don't know the context of your full code but your foreach sections look odd. is $data a multi-dimentional array of your entire db results?

[geosite]

sorry, didn't know you were putting it in the middle of html. in that case, don't forget to surround the code with <?php ?>

also, i obviously don't know the context of your full code but your foreach sections look odd. is $data a multi-dimentional array of your entire db results?

Sorry, I don't even know! This is all new to me. I've been trying to make a database-driven website, using tutorials and online forums, and I've received so many alternate strategies, I feel like I've created a quilt.

This is what my primary query looks like:

<?php
mysql_connect ("localhost" , "USERNAME" , "PASSWORD") or die(mysql_error());
mysql_select_db ("DATABASE") or die(mysql_error());

$qry = "SELECT * FROM basics as b, famarea as f, bushnations as bn, bushstates as bs
 WHERE bn.IDArea = b.IDArea and bs.IDArea = b.IDArea and f.IDArea = b.IDArea and b.IDArea = '$mycode'";

$result = mysql_query($qry);
$type = mysql_fetch_array($result);
$mytype = "my" . $type['TypeArea'];
$$mytype = $type['Name'];

if (phpversion() <= "4.1.0") { $vars = array_merge($HTTP_GET_VARS, $HTTP_POST_VARS); } else { $vars = $_REQUEST; }
$area_code_sql = mysql_query("SELECT *
 FROM basics as b, famarea as f, bushnations as bn, bushstates as bs
 WHERE bn.IDArea = b.IDArea and bs.IDArea = b.IDArea and f.IDArea = b.IDArea and and b.IDArea = '".$mycode);

$type = mysql_fetch_assoc($result);
$mytype = "my" . $type['TypeArea'];
$data = array();
$data_details = mysql_fetch_assoc(mysql_query("SELECT *
FROM basics WHERE IDArea LIKE '$mycode'"));

/*
$query = "SELECT * FROM bushnations WHERE IDArea like '$mycode'";
*/

$query = "SELECT famarea.*,  bushnations.* FROM famarea, bushnations
WHERE bushnations.IDArea = famarea.IDArea
AND  famarea.IDArea like '$mycode'";
$data = array();
if ($res = mysql_query($query)) { while ($temp = mysql_fetch_assoc($res)) { $data[] = $temp;} };
$foo = array("us-", "ca-");
$mycode = str_replace($foo, "", $mycode);
?>

I have an array in my head section, but I can't even remember what it was intended for - or if it's even functioning. I just kept it as a reference, so I'll know how to make an array when I really need one.

Thanks.

[Darchangel]

sorry, i still don't think i have a good idea for where the original question fits in with the most recent piece of code. i do have a few general suggestions though. i think it may be time to redo this section from scratch. there's a lot of unneccessary repetition. i'd also simplify the sql; try to only grab what you need

you might also want to get more comfortable with arrays before you work a lot with foreach. they are a great and powerful combo - and you seem to be using foreach correctly so far - but i think you'll benefit more in the long run if you get really familiar with arrays first

hope this was at all helpful