PHP SQL syntax error for insert into

Question

I have a bunch of php files corresponding to an application I am writing, using MySQL for my database structure. I know this questions has been asked before but I've been through most of the posts about it and can't find something that will help...

In my PHP file I have a SQL query

$group_sql = "INSERT INTO group (name, description, ownerEmail) VALUES ('$groupName', '$descrip', '$owner')";

that corresponds to a group table with three attributes: name, description, and owner email. $groupName, $descrip, $owner are three variables I have defined. I'm getting this syntax error when I try to run the query:

Error: INSERT INTO group(name, description, ownerEmail) VALUES(hi, hi, test@example.com) 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 'group(name, description, ownerEmail) VALUES(hi, hi, test@example.com)' at line 1

Can someone please help me see what I'm doing wrong?

Answer 1

GROUP is a MySQL reserved keyword . If you name a table that, then you must wrap it in ticks:

$group_sql = "INSERT INTO `group` (name, description, ownerEmail)  
              VALUES ('$groupName', '$descrip', '$owner')";

Notice where SQL starts with the error and points to it?

>for the right syntax to use near 'group  
>                                 ^

---

• This applies to both tables and columns.

• Consult: http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.0/en/identifier-qualifiers.html