Question

I keep getting the error

Parse error: syntax error, unexpected T_STRING on line #9

This is the line that is attempting to add the column. I have double, and triple checked that the table does indeed exist – and that I am able to access it.

<?php

mysql_connect ("localhost","user","pass") or die ('Error: ' . mysql_error());

echo "connected to database!";

mysql_select_db ("database");

      $query = ALTER TABLE CustomerInformation
 ADD supplier_name varchar2(50);


      $result = mysql_query($query) 
        or die("altering table Customer Information not successful: ".
        mysql_error()); 

?>

Answer 1

This is your problem

$query = ALTER TABLE CustomerInformation ADD supplier_name varchar2(50);

should be changed to

$query = 'ALTER TABLE CustomerInformation ADD supplier_name varchar2(50)';

Your $query variable holds a STRING which is passed to mysql_query and used as a command.