Coding advise about adding to a db column?

[Mr Blunt]

Ahhh, so the periods basically join your 3 "seperate strings" in the last example, one of which doesn't use double quotes since it's a var .... and those joining periods never get put into the actual saved string.

It's sinking in I think.

So if I declare an array key with $var['keyname'], and I come across a place where I'd rather call it with a simple $var[keyname], will it fly in most situations or must I do something stupid like $var[keyname] = $var['keyname'] beforehand? .... in which case it would probably be best to just use a new keyname to distinguish the difference?

I guess the reason I'm getting so technical is that I'm afraid of using non-arrayed variables as I don't want to conflict with anyone elses vars .... sooo one of my goals, as you might notice from my php file, was to try and handle all my vars from mainly one single array named "whodl" (3 really, but who's counting LOL).

Part of me says I'm going too far since it's a self contained webpage being displayed one time, and since control isn't going back to the origin page, I should be able to declare just about any simple (non-array) var that I want .... but then the inexperience in me thinks that's sloppy code so I've taken the long route so far.