objSQL Helper Method: Row Count

The obj_row_count() helper method returns the number of rows from a select count() query and is called from the objSQL class. This helper method is dependant only on the connection instance and can be called anywhere within a query block.

The SQLite3 driver does not have a native PHP num rows method and uses a simulated num rows query, but it is very inefficient and can time out even on small recordsets. The SQLite3 PDO driver returns 0 and the SQLSRV PDO driver returns -1 from the PHP rowCount() method. The obj_row_count() helper method is recommended for all situations requiring an accurate and efficient num rows count.

• The $table name argument is required.
• The optional $cols argument specifies which column(s) to count and is entered as a comma delimited string. Entering an empty value is equivilent to an asterisk (*).
• The optional $where argument allows you to limit which rows are selected and only requires the column and its value. You can use any of the normal operators used in SQL statements:
  • "color IN ('blue','red')"
  • "color='red' AND material='leather'"
  • "brand LIKE 's%'"
  • "price BETWEEN 200 AND 400"

Returns: Unsigned integer or -1 if undetermined or failure

<?php

//usage: $num_rows = $dbh->obj_row_count( $table, $cols, $where )

try
{
    $num_rows = $dbh->obj_row_count( "mytable", "id", "l_name='Jones'" );
        
    if ( $dbh->obj_error() )
        throw new Exception( $dbh->obj_error_message() );
    
    echo "<p>Your query returned $num_rows results</p>";
   
}
catch ( Exception $e ) 
{
    //log error and/or redirect user to error page
} 

?>