I have a column in a database that has a time stamp.

I am querying these columns to dump out on a sheet.

I'm able to display the dates for the cells that contain an actual timestamp but there are cells that only have "0" in them. So for these cells there is a defualt date of "12-31-1969". All I want is a big fat "0" Please help.

the code I have:

while (
$row = mysql_fetch_array($sql)) { 
$username = $row["username"]; 
$lastvisit = date("n-d-Y",$row["lastvisit"]);
$lastactivity = date("n-d-Y",$row["lastactivity"]); 
$lastpost = date("n-d-Y",$row["lastpost"]);

2/21/2006 5:38:13 PM

I know I could write a "if" statement but I was just wondering if there is an easier way to do this.

2/21/2006 5:41:40 PM

i doubt it.

an if statement would add 3-5 lines. just use the if

2/21/2006 6:05:21 PM

rule #324: always make mysql do the work if possible

2/21/2006 6:07:27 PM

use the ternary operator. it gives the functionality of an if/else statement, but in 1 compact line

$lastvisit = ($row["lastvist"] == 0 ? 0 : date("n-d-Y",$row["lastvisit"]));

2/21/2006 6:08:05 PM

DECODE

2/21/2006 6:16:18 PM

DECODE You

2/21/2006 6:27:22 PM

^^^ hmm didnt work but I will read about that to see if its just somethign simple to edit

[Edited on February 21, 2006 at 6:29 PM. Reason : ef]

2/21/2006 6:29:28 PM

ok got it:

$lastvisit = ($row["lastvisit"] == 0) ? "No Date" : date("n-d-Y",$row["lastvisit"]);

2/21/2006 6:38:46 PM