Adding together multiple values of a variable

PHP
1

Can somebody tell me how to add multiple values of the same variable together please.

My code is like this to get variables from database

while ($getarea = @mysql_fetch_array($areasql))	{
$area = $getarea['area'];

$area can be a single or multiple result which has to be added together to give $totalarea;

for example area1 = 2, area2 = 4, totalarea =6

Or would it be easier to get mysql to do it and if so how?

2 
SELECT SUM(area) AS total_area FROM table

Yup, it’s simpler, quicker and much clearer asking your db for the total. :slight_smile:

3

If you have to already loop for displaying the record, then don’t go for running another query because simply adding values would work perfectly i guess and would be faster, quicker too. So I hope if I have understood your question, something like this would work for you:


$totalaray = 0;
while ($getarea = @mysql_fetch_array($areasql)) {
	$area = $getarea['area'];
	$totalaray += $area;
}
echo 'Total Area : ' . $totalaray;
4

Hey Rajug,

the OP would just add SUM(area) AS total_area to his already existing query thus negating the need to run another query.

5

Oh Yes Anthony if OP has understood in that way and can integrate your query to his existing query. Otherwise my solution would also work I think.

6

Thanks to both. I think mysql query fits the bill for what I need, and as usual the answer was staring me in the face!! Just coudn’t see it!

7

I agree with Anthony, getting the answer from the db is more effective and consumes only one call/session (essential if running multi-tier over a crowded backend)