Insert a value if it isnt in the table (primary key not a option)

[riahc3]

Hey

Lets say I have 2 columns in table1

Id Value

Id is obviously primary but I want Value to be unique....

I tried "NOT EXISTS" with a subquery but I cant really seem to get it to work. It would be something like

INSERT INTO table1(value) WHERE VALUES('3');

From then on I dont want 3 to be inserted again in the Value column. I dont care about the ID column.

How do I do this in MySQL?

Thanks for the help

[Smeagel13]

Create the table with a UNIQUE index on the Value field.

[rch1231]

Smeagle13 is correct but also change your insert so it will ignore the error generated when the duplicate insert is refused:

INSERT IGNORE INTO TABLE1 WHERE VALUES('3');