How to put dynamic php date into mysql query

[TheChaosFactor]

So I'm trying to put a user selected date into a mysql query, but it seems like no matter what I do I get 0 results even though I already know there's quite a few. The way I have it now 'echo $query;' puts out the expected results, but I'm guessing it's because I'm trying to match a date to a string.  I tried strtotime but I'm not sure if I was doing it right.. I also tried sprintf() just in case, but that doesn't seem to have a date feature.  The variable $realdate is just to show how I was attempting to use strtotime, it's not an actualy part of the script at this time...

 

$searchdate = $_GET['searchdate'];
//$realdate = strtotime($searchdate)


//connects to db
dbconnect();


$query="SELECT `name`, `date`, SUM(`amount`) as `total_money`, SUM(`bricks`) as `total_bricks` FROM Aces_Donations WHERE `date`= $searchdate ORDER BY `total_money`";

echo $query;

$result=mysql_query($query); 

//Opens the table
echo "<table border = '3' width = 40% bgcolor=#A85045><caption><center>Rankings - ".$searchdate.'</center></caption>';

//Loop to run until eof

while($row = mysql_fetch_array($result)){

echo "<tr><td>".$rank."</td>	<td>".$row['name']. "</td><td>". $row['total_money']."</td><td>".$row['total_bricks'].'</td></tr>';
$rank++;

}
echo '</table>';

[PFMaBiSmAd]

What data type is your `date` column, a mysql DATE?

 

Edit: Also, what format is the $_GET['searchdate']?

[TheChaosFactor]

Sorry, yes it's a mysql date, and the date being passed is in the same format as well when it's passed.

[PFMaBiSmAd]

Literal date values must be enclosed in single-quotes inside the query, otherwise they look like a mathematical expression (2010 - 08 - 01 equals 2001).

[TheChaosFactor]

But if I enclose a variable in single quotes won't it print the literal string that is that variable instead of the contents of the variable?

 

Edit: Just checked. It does try to query the variable container instead of the contents when it's placed in single quotes

[PFMaBiSmAd]

It sounds like you changed the double-quotes that enclose the whole query into single-quotes. No one stated to do that. I stated that - Literal date values must be enclosed in single-quotes inside the query.