Auto update dynamic text box with PHP/SQL?

[benflashkit]

I have a dynamic text box that I'm loading data into from a PHP file using loadVariablesNum("data.php", 0);

The PHP runs a SQL query that fetches data from MySQL. The data in the MySQL database changes frequently, and I want to update the dynamic text box with the latest info.

How do you do that? Or is it possible? I assume you use setInterval.

Currently, it only updates the field if I visit the PHP file and refresh the data. Otherwise, the dynamic text box just displays the data from the last SQL query.

[gparis]

I assume you use setInterval.

yes. depending on your app., every 1 or more seconds.

gparis

[benflashkit]

So it is possible then? I guess my question is - can the SWF can trigger the PHP to run the query? or do I still need to set up some other automation (chron job) for that?

[gparis]

setInterval calls a function at set intervals. So, make your call to php into a function.

gparis

[benflashkit]

The flash movie won't refresh the PHP. So I have it set up to refresh every second:

phpData = new LoadVars();
phpData.onLoad = function(){
    txtTest.html=true;
    txtTest.htmlText = phpData.content;
}
var timeint1;
timeint1=setInterval(fetchData,1000);

function fetchData() {
    phpData.load("data.php");
}

I can get it to auto refresh if I set up a refresh in the PHP - but the movie won't trigger a refresh.

and another question....

It seems that I can't get the loadVars to load anything but predefined variables, such as "content" and "name". I can't get it to load "myFavVar" for example. Is that a restriction or is there a trick?

Is there any benefit to using loadVariables("data.php","") instead?

BTW, I'm using Flash Pro 8 and AS 2.0

[gparis]

Your code is fine. If you add a trace in the onLoad, you'll see the php is called every second by the flash.

It seems that I can't get the loadVars to load anything but predefined variables, such as "content" and "name". I can't get it to load "myFavVar" for example. Is that a restriction or is there a trick?

in the onLoad:
myFavVar = this.myFavVar; // this is refering to the LoadVars

you'll get the myFavVar variable on that code's timeline.

Is there any benefit to using loadVariables("data.php","") instead?

no.

gparis

[benflashkit]

Thanks!

Here's what I have now:

var myData1:LoadVars=new LoadVars();
myData1.onLoad = function () {
    txtTest.text = this.money;
    txtTest1.text = this.mySql;
}

var timeint1;
timeint1=setInterval(fetchData,1000);
function fetchData() {
    myData1.load("data.php");
}

I'm still working on the PHP refresh problem. If I put a refresh header in the PHP file, it works in the movie only if I have it open in a browser. So if I'm playing JUST the movie, the PHP doesn't refresh. The PHP is fetching data from a database, but it doesn't re-query unless I go directly to the /data.php file and make it happen. The movie won't do it.

Is there a way to get the movie to execute the PHP code? should I use a POST or GET to do it somehow?

Thanks for your help. I'm new at AS.

[benflashkit]

This seems to work:

myData1.sendAndLoad("http://localhost/myscript/data.php", myData1, "POST")

I'm learning.