Few general vb coding queries

[veenuisthebest]

I have a custom vb page.php that has many subpages like do=this and do=that and accesses database in every sub-page. Now my queries in relation to page.php are:-


1. I use $db->free_result($query); every time I use SELECT query to fetch multiple rows. But when, where and why is $db->close(); used ?

2. I want to add one setting to ENABLE/DISABLE access to page.php, how do I do that? I know how to add settings, but what next ? I want to display an error message on page.php when set to DISABLED, but let admins view it. (almost similar to the forums turn off or arcade.php turn off feature)

3. This is a simple INSERT query:-

PHP Code:

$db->query_write("
    INSERT INTO " . TABLE_PREFIX . "linkdir
        (name, email, ip)
    VALUES
        ('$name', '$email', '$ip')
"); 


This gives an error when escape characters are inserted like ', /, etc. How do I allow escape characters to be inserted in all the columns? Is this $vbulletin->db->escape_string_like(htmlspecialchars_uni($variable )) the only solution ?

4. What is the difference between `" . TABLE_PREFIX . "mytable` and " . TABLE_PREFIX . "mytable (notice the ` symbol)

5. To display a standard redirect, we use this:-

PHP Code:

$vbulletin->url = "page.php?" . $vbulletin->session->vars['sessionurl'] ."$row_id";
  if (isset($_SERVER['QUERY_STRING'])) {
eval(print_standard_redirect('redirect_myphrase', true, true));} 


What variable should be put in place of $row_id ? If $row_id contains 10, then the URL becomes page.php?10 , It does not create any problem but it doesn't look good. What should I put in there when I do NOT need to pass anything onto the next page? Also, how does vb redirects user to previous page?

6. Why is it considered a good practise to use vbphrases in templates and not direct text. Say, in the template for my page.php there is just one phrase that won't be repeated like "Welcome to our Page", can I just write it directly in the template without creating a vbphrase ?

7. I am inserting current TIMESTAMP into mytable from page.php, how do I make it show in the vbstyle? I mean, how to automatically correct it according to per user timezone setting? and leave it default for guests.


I hope someone takes out time to answer these, it will help many others I think.

Thank You