#define DB Storage

[TimN]

If I define some constants in constants.php, then use a form to have people input data for things using those constants, is the constant stored in the database or the number it represents?

For example:

Code: Select all

// Define Category Weights
define('WEIGHT_LOW', 1);
define('WEIGHT_MED', 2);
define('WEIGHT_HIGH',3);


When I use a form to assign a weight, let's say 'WEIGHT_MED', what's stored in the database? WEIGHT_MED or 2?
If we decide to change the value of the weighting system later, I want to make sure it's not storing the defined numbers.

Thanks,
Tim

[Handyman]

No, constants are only stored in constants.php.
If you insert numbers into the database through SQL queries using the constants, you will have to update the numbers in the database if you decide to change them later.

[TimN]

Thanks.
I ran a quick test to see what would happen. I decided to use a constant to store in the database and a switch function to relate that to the defined constant. This way I can change the value of the defines later and not worry about what's stored. So for WEIGHT_LOW I'll store a 1, WEIGHT_MED and 2 and WEIGHT_HIGH a 3. But WEIGHT_LOW is defined as .5 right now. Later I can define it as 1, 2, 10, etc. But it'll always be the lowest weight and that'll always correlate to a 1 in the db.

Thanks for responding.
Tim