PDO insert a simple array into MySQL database

Question

I have a form which allows multiple text boxes for users to add different question names, these are then passed to an array:

name="question_name[]

How do i go about inserting this array into my questions table using PDO and MySQL? I have tried:

$sql = "INSERT INTO questions (`question_name`) VALUES (:question_name)";
$stmt = $db->prepare($sql);
$stmt->bindValue(':question_name', $question_name);
$stmt->execute();

This gives me

Array to string conversion" error.

I have tested the print_r statement and the results are as expected:

Array ( [0] => [Answer1] => [2] => [Answer2])

etc... depending on the amount of text boxes used.

I understand that it is to do with BindValues / BindParam / execute() statement I would just like a correct method that works and reasoning to help me learn. Thanks.

@JayBlanchard thanks for the spot, I have changed that, the same error persists — StackMeUp123, Feb 16 '16 at 18:38

u_mulder · Accepted Answer · 2016-02-16T19:03:32.760

2

Simple solution:

$sql = "INSERT INTO questions (`question_name`) VALUES (:question_name)";
// prepare a stamemnt only once
$stmt = $db->prepare($sql);
$stmt->bindParam(':question_name', $question_name);
// iterate over your POST[question_name] array
foreach ($_POST['question_name'] as $question_name) {
    $stmt->execute();
}

edited Feb 16 '16 at 19:03

answered Feb 16 '16 at 18:37

u_mulder

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Such a simple solution. No explanation needed really. Thank you! – StackMeUp123 Feb 16 '16 at 18:40
@YourCommonSense That's `bindValue` bro. Do the second change and set `bindParam`. – u_mulder Feb 16 '16 at 18:59
Just realized that it was foolish edit that I made. Dunno what I were thinking of but it seems I was totally absent-minded. My apologies. – Your Common Sense Feb 17 '16 at 09:44

PDO insert a simple array into MySQL database

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