How can I fetch the value of a row only one time?

So let's say I have a list of ids, each row has a category assigned to it. So there may be 3 rows assigned to apple, 4 to orange, etc.

At best, I can retreive the rows so I fetch all category names...

Apple apple apple orange orange orange orange in a while loop.

How can I fetch each one only once? So that if orange occurs 4 or even 8billion times, it only outputs once. Basically I want to create a list of categories in a while loop.

 

Use distinct keyword in your query instead...

say the column name of your category is category and say your table name is fruits

So your query should be :

$sql = "SELECT DISTINCT category FROM fruits";

PHP:

Now run a while loop and print every entry.. it will be distinct only

 

You can use the " Group By "

dev.mysql.com/tech-resources/articles/debunking-group-by-myths.html

 

Group by wont help for his problem, Niks has suggested the perfect solution.

 

$sql = "SELECT DISTINCT category FROM fruits";
$result = mysql_fetch_array($sql);
echo $result['anyfield'];