MySQL COUNT() causing empty array() return - mysql

Question

MySQL Server Version: Server version: 4.1.14
MySQL client version: 3.23.49
Tables under discussion: ads_list and ads_cate.
Table Relationship: ads_cate has many ads_list.
Keyed by: ads_cate.id = ads_list.Category.
I am not sure what is going on here, but I am trying to use COUNT() in a simple agreggate query, and I get blank output.
Here is a simple example, this returns expected results:
$queryCats = "SELECT id, cateName FROM ads_cate ORDER BY cateName";
But if I modify it to add the COUNT() and the other query data I get no array return w/ print_r() (no results)?
$queryCats = "SELECT ads_cate.cateName, ads_list.COUNT(ads_cate.id),
FROM ads_cate INNER JOIN ads_list
ON ads_cate.id = ads_list.category
GROUP BY cateName ORDER BY cateName";
Ultimately, I am trying to get a count of ad_list items in each category.
Is there a MySQL version conflict on what I am trying to do here?
NOTE: I spent some time breaking this down, item by item and the COUNT() seems to cause the array() to disappear. And the the JOIN seemed to do the same thing... It does not help I am developing this on a Yahoo server with no access to the php or mysql error settings.

Answer 1

I think your COUNT syntax is wrong. It should be:
COUNT(ads_cate.id)
or
COUNT(ads_list.id)
depending on what you are counting.

Answer 2

Count is an aggregate. means ever return result set at least one
here you be try count ads_list.id not null but that wrong. how say Myke Count(ads_cate.id) or Count(ads_list.id) is better approach
you have inner join ads_cate.id = ads_list.category so Count(ads_cate.id) or COUNT(ads_list.id) is not necessary just count(*)
now if you dont want null add having
only match
SELECT ads_cate.cateName, COUNT(*),
FROM ads_cate INNER JOIN ads_list
ON ads_cate.id = ads_list.category
GROUP BY cateName
having not count(*) is null
ORDER BY cateName
all
SELECT ads_cate.cateName, IFNULL(COUNT(*),0),
FROM ads_cate LEFT JOIN ads_list
ON ads_cate.id = ads_list.category
GROUP BY cateName
ORDER BY cateName

Answer 3

Did you try:
$queryCats = "SELECT ads_cate.cateName, COUNT(ads_cate.id)
FROM ads_cate
JOIN ads_list ON ads_cate.id = ads_list.category
GROUP BY ads_cate.cateName";
I am guessing that you need the category to be in the list, in that case the query here should work. Try it without the ORDER BY first.

Answer 4

You were probably getting errors. Check your server logs.
Also, see what happens when you try this:
SELECT COUNT(*), category
FROM ads_list
GROUP BY category

Answer 5

Your array is empty or disappear because your query has errors:
there should be no comma before the FROM
the "ads_list." prefix before COUNT is incorrect
Please try running that query directly in MySQL and you'll see the errors. Or try echoing the output using mysql_error().
Now, some other points related to your query:
there is no need to do ORDER BY because GROUP BY by default sorts on the grouped column
you are doing a count on the wrong column that will always give you 1
Perhaps you are trying to retrieve the count of ads_list per ads_cate? This might be your query then:
SELECT `ads_cate`.`cateName`, COUNT(`ads_list`.`category`) `cnt_ads_list`
FROM `ads_cate`
INNER JOIN `ads_list` ON `ads_cate`.`id` = `ads_list`.`category`
GROUP BY `cateName`;
Hope it helps?