Question

I would like to create dynamic sorting for my mysql database results. I currently output the results with a query. I would like to create a 2 links which would sort the results by that selected link, click again and the link ASC or DSEC the results.

I have been searching but am unable to find the right way about doing this.

I even downloaded a framework to see how this is done but no to success.
the example is like follows:

TITLE TOTAL

As simple as this sounds I am unable to find a dynamic example online.

ANyone else finding google supplies more results to outdated and forums than actual helpful pages?
Even if you sort by last year and relevance.

Answer 1

<?php
    // build the basis for the query
    $sql = '
        SELECT 
            `id`,
            `title`,
            `total`
        FROM 
            `my_table`
    ';

    // check for sort field
    $sort_by = isset($_GET['s']) ? $_GET['s'] : false;
    // validate the sort field (avoid Bobby Tables!) and provide default
    switch ($sort_by) {
        case 'title':
        case 'id':
        case 'total':
            break;
        default:
            $sort_by = 'id';
    }

    $sql .= ' ORDER BY '.$sort_by.' ';

    // get the direction, or use the default
    $direction = isset($_GET['d']) ? $_GET['d'] : false;
    if ($direction != 'ASC' && $direction != 'DESC')
        $direction = 'DESC';
    $sql .= $direction;

    // execute query, get results
    $res = mysql_query($sql);
    $results = array();
    if ($res) {
        while ($r = mysql_fetch_assoc($res)) {
            $results[] = $r;
        }
    }

    // used in table heading to indicate sort direciton
    $sort_arrow = ($direction == 'ASC' ? '<img src="up_arrow.png" />' : '<img src="down_arrow.png" />');

    // used to build urls to reverse the current sort direction
    $reverse_direction = ($direction == 'DESC' ? 'ASC' : 'DESC');
?>

<table>
    <thead>
        <th scope="col" class="<?php echo $sort_by == 'id' ? 'sortColumn' : ''; ?>">
            <a href="myscript.php?s=id&d=<?php echo $reverse_direction; ?>">ID</a>
            <?php echo $sort_by == 'id' ? $sort_arrow : ''; ?>
        </th>
        <th scope="col" class="<?php echo $sort_by == 'id' ? 'sortColumn' : ''; ?>">
            <a href="myscript.php?s=title&d=<?php echo $reverse_direction; ?>">Title</a>
            <?php echo $sort_by == 'title' ? $sort_arrow : '';  ?>
        </th>
        <th scope="col" class="<?php echo $sort_by == 'id' ? 'sortColumn' : ''; ?>">
            <a href="myscript.php?s=total&d=<?php echo $reverse_direction; ?>">Total</a>
            <?php echo $sort_by == 'total' ? $sort_arrow : '';  ?>
        </th>
    </thead>
    <tbody>
        <?php
            if (count($results) > 0) {
                foreach ($results as $r) {
                    print '<tr>';
                    print '<th scope="row">'.$r['id'].'</th>';
                    print '<td>'.$r['title'].'</td>';
                    print '<td>'.$r['total'].'</td>';
                    print '</tr>';
                }
            } else {
                print '<tr><td colspan=3>No results found</td></tr>';
            }
        ?>  
    </tbody>
</table>