PHP date into mySQL database isn't working as planned

Question

So I've been trying to solve this one on my own for a few hours and it's driving me crazy.

I'm just trying to put a date into a mySQL database, the code looks like this:

$timeStarted = date("Y-m-d H:i:s", time());
$sqlquery = "INSERT INTO deviceStats (currTime, ...) VALUES ($timeStarted, ...)";
mysql_query($sqlquery);
echo $timeStarted;

My ajax return is telling me that $timeStarted is in the propper format, it's giving the right time, but if I have this one variable in my query, it won't run. the currTime field in the DB is set to datetime, so it should work.

why on earth did my question get downranked?

OldDrunkenSailor
– OldDrunkenSailor

2011-06-06 02:48:56 +00:00
Commented Jun 6, 2011 at 2:48 — OldDrunkenSailor
– OldDrunkenSailor, Commented Jun 6, 2011 at 2:48
There are some idiots around, don't worry. I upvoted it.

Ali
– Ali

2011-06-06 04:23:57 +00:00
Commented Jun 6, 2011 at 4:23 — Ali
– Ali, Commented Jun 6, 2011 at 4:23

eagle12 · Accepted Answer · 2011-06-06 02:29:14Z

3

Why not just use NOW()?

$sqlquery = "INSERT INTO deviceStats (currTime, ...) VALUES (NOW(), ...);

answered Jun 6, 2011 at 2:29

eagle12

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5 Comments

OldDrunkenSailor Over a year ago

I need to echo that NOW(), so I need something saved to a php variable. If I can echo NOW() then that's golden!

Jason Over a year ago

Run this query select NOW() (but running this after your first query will make the value slightly off). Or you can go mysql_last_insert_id(); and re-select the record to get the value of now.

eagle12 Over a year ago

can you output what the sql looks like exactly so that we can see what the complete statement looks like?

eagle12 Over a year ago

try wrapping the variable in a single quote. $sqlquery = "INSERT INTO deviceStats (currTime, ...) VALUES ('$timeStarted', ...)";

OldDrunkenSailor Over a year ago

you called it, single quotes. I owe you a beer.

Phil · Accepted Answer · 2011-06-06 02:49:39Z

2

Your problem is that date strings in MySQL are exactly that, strings and as such must either be quoted (single quotes) or preferably, passed as parameters.

Using PDO, this would be quite simple

$stmt = $pdo->prepare('INSERT INTO `deviceStats` (`currTime`, ...) VALUES (?, ...)');
$ts = date('Y-m-d H:i:s');
$stmt->bindParam(1, $ts);
$stmt->execute();
echo $ts;

answered Jun 6, 2011 at 2:49

Phil

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