select from multiple tables

[Pweb]

Hi,

I'm a bit confused here... I need to select everything from multiple tables, but am not sure why my query won't execute... I would use Unions, but MySQL don't support them...

I have 3 tables in one database.

table_1
table_2
table_3

Query: select * from table_1, table_2, table_3 where name = "someName";

The data in those tables is different.

May be I need to use joins, to join 3 tables? Can't figure out what to do.

[Overgrow]

What is the error you get when you run the query from the command line or phpMyAdmin?

I suspect it might be.. name clause is ambiguous. Try:

Select * from table_1,table_2,table_3 where table_1.name='somename'

specifying what table name should come from

[Pweb]

Yes, I get "name clause is ambiguous" error message.

I can't use "where table_1.name" because:

1. the data it all 3 tables is different
2. the "name" comes from an input box:

<input type="text" name="some_name">

So I need to search all 3 tables for "$some_name"...

select * from table_1,table_2,table_3 where name = \"$some_name\"

Any ideas?

[Overgrow]

sure no problem..

select * from table_1,table_2,table_3
where table_1.name = "$some_name"
or table_2.name = "$some_name"
or table_3.name = "$some_name"

btw, that is a standard join except you're using ,commas, instead of the JOIN structure