Resource ID #6 when checking for existing data entry

Question

we're trying to check if a token which has been generated earlier is available in our Database, however we're getting the Error code "Resource ID #6" when we try to extract a matching database entry from the database.

Here's a snippet of our code:

$key= $_GET['token'];
$keytest = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM tokens WHERE token = '$key'");

Thanks in advance.

`$keytest` is a resource returned by your `mysql_query()`, not an actual row object. — Gynteniuxas, Aug 15 '16 at 08:40
Yes @Edvin Tenovimas Could you explain it a little bit further, please? — Moritz Hupe, Aug 15 '16 at 08:42
Just take a look at any basic tutorial on PHP and mysql - and STOP using PHP's deprecated mysql_ API — Strawberry, Aug 15 '16 at 08:48
Hi. If this or any answer has solved your question please consider accepting it by clicking the check-mark. This indicates to the wider community that you've found a solution and gives some reputation to both the answerer and yourself. There is no obligation to do this, though. — Gynteniuxas, Aug 24 '16 at 16:46

score 1 · Answer 1 · edited May 23 '17 at 10:28

Well, first of all, you should not be using mysql_* extension because it is deprecated. You're also vulnerable to SQL injection because you're not escaping your inputs.

Regarding about Resource id #4, it is a resource returned by your mysql_query() call, not an actual row object/array (source).

If you want to get an object/array, you need to add an additional line:

$keytest = mysql_fetch_array($keytest);

Now your $keytest is an object/array (array more likely). To get value from this array, you need to specify array's key. For example, if you have a column called unique_id, then you can echo it by writing something like:

echo 'Token unique ID: '.$keytest['unique_id'];

That's it about how to retrieve data. But as I have said earlier, you should not use mysql_*, better is to use either prepared statements or mysqli_*.

Resource ID #6 when checking for existing data entry

1 Answers1