How to Retrieve Data from MySQL Tables with a Specific Prefix Using PHP

Описание: Learn how to efficiently `export` data from MySQL tables that start with a specific prefix using PHP and PDO, complete with code examples.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/65979935/ asked by the user 'Dan' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/7942681/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/65980314/ provided by the user 'SAW Kk' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/15071440/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

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How to Retrieve Data from MySQL Tables with a Specific Prefix Using PHP

When working with databases, you may often find the need to extract data from specific tables based on certain criteria. One common scenario for developers is needing to get values from MySQL tables that start with a specific prefix. This is especially useful when you have a naming convention in your database. In this guide, we will explore how to accomplish this task using PHP, PDO, and a well-defined process.

The Problem Definition

Imagine you have two tables in your MySQL database, and you've written a SQL query that successfully retrieves the names of those tables based on a prefix, such as "cu". The query that does this looks like this:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Your main goal is not just to identify these tables but also to fetch their corresponding data and display this in HTML format. How can you access the rows of these tables using PHP? Let's break down the solution.

Solution Steps

To achieve the goal of exporting data to HTML tables, follow these structured steps:

1. Execute the MySQL Query

First, ensure that your SQL query runs correctly in your MySQL environment and returns the expected output. This will confirm that the tables with the required prefix are indeed present in your database.

2. Integrate Query in PHP Code

Now, let's put the query into our PHP code. We will use PDO for database connections as it provides a more secure and flexible option compared to other methods.

3. Fetch and Display the Data Using a Loop

You will use a loop to iterate through the results of your query, retrieving each table's data. Here is how that can be implemented:

Example Code:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Explanation of the Code:

Database Connection: We establish a connection to the MySQL database using PDO.

Executing the Query: The first query retrieves the names of the tables that start with "cu".

Iterate Through Tables: For each table retrieved, we run a second query to select all rows from that particular table.

Generate HTML Tables: We loop through each row of the result set and print them within HTML table rows. Each cell in the HTML table corresponds to a column in your database.

Conclusion

By following the structured approach outlined above, you can efficiently retrieve and display data from MySQL tables that start with a specific prefix. This method keeps your code clean and modular, allowing for easy updates and maintenance.

Using PDO provides a secure way to handle database requests and results, making your application more robust. Now, you can take this code and adapt it for your specific requirements!

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further clarification!