Executing array values in a MySQL PDO statement with WHERE and OR - mysql

Question

I've been trying to look for a solution where you can fetch database with one prepared statement and execute it with an array value
Typically I do this with my statement:
$search = $db->prepare("SELECT * FROM table WHERE name = ?");
$search->execute(array($name));
But what if i have an array like so:
Array (
[0] => Array
(
[name] => Burger Joint
)
[1] => Array
(
[name] => Burger Joint
)
[2] => Array
(
[name] => Burgers
)
[3] => Array
(
[name] => Meats
)
)
I'd like to somehow go through my database with either of the values in the array WHERE name=? in the statement. However, sometimes there's going to be multiple similar names, is there a way to condense the array before hand or what would be the best practice in a situation like this?
Thanks!

Answer 1

You can do this in a number of ways, but since you mentioned OR, let's use that:
First, your array of possible values. Let's take your array and mold it into an array of unique values:
$values_array = array_unique(
array_map(
function($element) {
return $element['name'];
},
$original_array
)
);
// $values_array now contains array('Burger Joint', 'Burgers', 'Meats')
Now, we build the prepared query by introducing as many placeholders as you have possible values:
$query = sprintf('SELECT * FROM table WHERE %s',
implode(
' OR ',
array_fill(
'name = ?',
count($values_array)
)
)
);
// $query now contains 'SELECT * FROM table WHERE name = ? OR name = ? OR name = ?'
and execute it:
$search = $db->prepare($query);
$search->execute($values_array);
Alternatively, you could use IN instead, building your query like so:
$query = sprintf('SELECT * FROM table WHERE name in (%s)',
implode(
', ',
array_fill(
'?',
count($values_array)
)
)
);
// $query now contains 'SELECT * FROM table WHERE name in (?, ?, ?)'
$search = $db->prepare($query);
$search->execute($values_array);
This will have the same effect, and it's slightly more clear what's going on by looking at the code.

Answer 2

Try name IN instead of name = .

Answer 3

First, you need IN. field IN (1,2) is equal to field=1 OR field=2.
Next, you need some sort of helper function, to put all that mess of technical details of creating correct SQL statements away from application business code. To make it in ONE line, not 50.
$data = $db->getAll("SELECT * FROM table WHERE name IN (?a)",$names);
Finally, it seems you're getting your names from another query.
In this case you have to run only single query using JOIN. You may ask another question under [mysql] tag providing both your queries.
To get only names into array you have to use another helper function (though you have to create it yourself or get somewhere first):
$names = $db->getCol("here goes your query to get names");