just want the max of an integer field ultimately into a variable. seems pretty straight forward. In mysqlclient, the answer is of course returned - perhaps as a row, I'm never quite sure. The code above returns the following in a browser... resource(6) of type (mysql result) - Resource id #6 and I've been trying all sorts of things 'SELECT AS...' and Googled for several hours and I'm sort of convinced that what is being returned from the sql query is neither an array, nor string and has to be converted into a variable that is useful to me. Anyone know how to do this (i.e. without pear-db)? Craig -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. --------------------------------------------------- PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss