error on MySQL UPDATE on a text field

Maybe it depends on double quotes in references row. Try it like this: mysql_query("UPDATE company SET references = 'blah blah blah' WHERE company_id = 18"); If you are using a $_POST then remove single quotes from it. This way: mysql_query("UPDATE company SET references = $_POST[references] WHERE company_id = 18");

I just tried this query as you suggested, not using any variables:

$query = "UPDATE company SET references = 'blahblahblah' where company_id = 18"

and I get the same error message.

Ok, then try it like this:

$query = "UPDATE company SET references = 'blahblahblah' where `company_id` = 18"

Sometimes the underscore gives some problems.. like "syntax error". In this example I've put backticks, not single quotes, around company_id.

Bye :)

I tried that, still get the same error message. So then I tried using this:

$query = "UPDATE company SET references = 'blahblahblah' where username = 'company'";

so I avoid having an underscore completely. Any other suggestions? I am completely at a loss here. Thanks for your help.

:D I hope I've found the reason of the problem! The word references is a reserved word in MySQL, this means that you can't use it as a table or column name.

- http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/4.1/en/reserved-words.html

WOW! That is it? Thank you so much for solving this for me! I have a list of reserved words in PHP, but not MySQL.
I am off to pick through hundreds of lines of code to change the name of that field, oh joy....

Nan

The weird part is that MySQL let me create the table and insert tons of trial rows using that reserved word, and it never complained until trying to UPDATE a row.

Or may be you can ;)

$query = "UPDATE company SET `references` = 'blahblahblah' where username = 'company'";

PS: Pay attention to the quotes ...

- Mitko Kostov

thanks Mitko, I will try that fist.

JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK-YOU TO cereal AND MitkOK
YOU SAVED ME A LOT OF GRIEF I HAVE BEEN SITTING HERE ALL DAY
GOOGLING ETC TRYING TO FIND THE PROBLEM AS I WAS ABLE TO INSERT BUT NOT
UPDATE AAAAARRR!!! I USED 'desc' AS A COLUMN NAME DOH!!

You're welcome :)

I have the same problem, but it's not associated with mysql reserved words.

note is a mysql text filed. I am trying to modify the field with preg_replace in PHP then updating the field to the db table. I have used the update command many times with other data types. Testing the command I did not modify the field. I just tried to rewrite it.

$note = $row["note"];

$query = "update `tableNotes` set `note` = $note where `ID` = $row[ID]";

10322 Failed. 1064:You have an error in your SQL syntax; check the manual that corresponds to your MySQL server version for the right syntax to use near 'where `ID` = 10322' at line 2

I've tried numerous variations -- all fail.

How can I display database content in textfields that I have used to enter them ? using php
I need a help .

thanks !

You can store data to a session, so you can display it when you reload the form.