Check if a row exists using old mysql_* API

Question

I just want to check and see if a row exists where the $lectureName shows. If a row does exist with the $lectureName somewhere in it, I want the function to return "ass

Answer 1

Easiest way to check if a row exists:

$lectureName = mysql_real_escape_string($lectureName);  // SECURITY!
$result = mysql_query("SELECT 1 FROM preditors_assigned WHERE lecture_name='$lectureName' LIMIT 1");
if (mysql_fetch_row($result)) {
    return 'Assigned';
} else {
    return 'Available';
}

No need to mess with arrays and field names.