adding string to a select statement to include in result set

Question

I'm trying to add a string to a mysql result set to save manipulating the results with php later.

This is what I want to do but it gives me an error.

SELECT 'new' AS condition
    UNION
SELECT p.Name AS title, p.meta_desc AS description, p.product_Id AS id from products AS p

I can do this:

SELECT p.Name AS title, p.meta_desc AS description, p.product_Id AS id, 'new' from products AS p

but it gives new => new , ideally I would like the result column to be called 'descripiton' and retrieve 'condition' => 'new'

You already have a column called description in your 2nd query. You can't have two columns with the same name. Do you want the string once per row or once per select? — Jacob
– Jacob, Commented Aug 25, 2011 at 7:05
Ah, I see it is the name 'condition' that I can't use for some reason. Changing 'new' AS conditions in the second statement worked. Is there anyway I can use condition as a column? — user813720
– user813720, Commented Aug 25, 2011 at 7:13
Answering my own question: If I put it in quotes - 'new' AS 'condition' works — user813720
– user813720, Commented Aug 25, 2011 at 7:15

Jacob · Accepted Answer · 2011-08-25 07:10:37Z

3

SELECT p.Name AS title, 
       p.meta_desc AS description, 
       p.product_Id AS id, 
       'new' AS `condition`
FROM products AS p

You can alias the literal. Condition is a reserved word, so you have to use backticks.

answered Aug 25, 2011 at 7:10

Jacob

43.6k6 gold badges81 silver badges81 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

1 Answer 1