How to query database using javascript?

Question

Another question by a newbie. I have a php variable that queries the database for a value. It is stored in the variable $publish and its value will change (in the database)

Answer 1

Let me try, you want to change the link in a page from a pop-up that handles a form processing. Try to give your link a container:

Publish

As for the form submission use Ajax to submit data to the server to do an update and get a response back to change the link to edit or something:

$.post("submit.php", { some_field: "some_value"}, function(response) {
    if(response.isPublished)
       $('#publish_link', window.opener.document).html('Edit');
});

Basically your publish link is contained in a div with an ID publish_link so you change its content later after data processing without reloading the page. In the pop-up where you would do the form processing it is done using jQuery Ajax POST method to submit the data. Your script then accepts that data, update the database and if successful returns a response. jQuery POST function receives that response and there's a check there if isPublished is true, get the pop-up's opener window (your main window) and update the link to Edit. Just an idea, may not be the best out there.