How do you convert a mysqli_result into a string?

Question

I'm trying to echo the result of a mysqli_query however I keep getting the error 'Catchable fatal error: Object of class mysqli_result could not be converted to string' on line 'echo $result;'. Is there any way I can convert it into a string so that it can be echoed? (P.S sorry if this is easy, I'm new to coding.)

My database is successfully connected and the SQL statements definitely work.

$sql= "SELECT ImageURL FROM `unnormalisedtable` WHERE Yeargroup = 9 ORDER BY RAND() LIMIT 1" ;

$result = mysqli_query($db, $sql);

echo $result;

The expected output is that the result of my SQLi query will be printed on screen, however the error is generated instead. Thanks for any help in advance.

[Read the manual and look at their examples](https://www.php.net/manual/en/mysqli.query.php) — Martin, Apr 09 '19 at 21:20
be careful using ` ORDER BY RAND()` its performance death if the table is 'large' — , Apr 09 '19 at 21:33

nullpointr · Accepted Answer · 2019-04-09T21:37:47.907

1

Since you limit the selection to one entry use

$row = mysqli_fetch_array($result);
echo $row['ImageURL'];

If you select more than one entry loop over the result.

while($row = mysqli_fetch_array($result)) {
      echo $row['ImageURL'];
}

edited Apr 09 '19 at 21:37

answered Apr 09 '19 at 21:22

nullpointr

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4
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1

no loop required when only 1 row\value is ever going to be returned – Apr 09 '19 at 21:30
@tim You are right. I edited my post and added two variants. – nullpointr Apr 09 '19 at 21:38
Thanks so much this is very helpful! – danizw Apr 09 '19 at 21:42
@danizw if my answer solves your problem, please mark it as solved – nullpointr Apr 10 '19 at 10:23

How do you convert a mysqli_result into a string?

1 Answers1