How do I bring information from a separate database

[kwblue]

Thanks for the answer! That sounds similar to what I was thinking. The table is in the same database, so I have no problems with security access to it.

Now - Since each forumid has information in my new datatable, what is the best way to perform the query? Do I pass a forumid in each time, somehow? Or is there some way I should structure it so that I can immediately pull out the right information.

I'm guessing some sort of array with the forumid as the index?

$MyInformation(forumid)?

That may not be proper php syntax, I'd have to look it up.


so - are arrays the best way to do this or parameter passing? If parameter passing, then how would I set that up as a plugin?

Thanks sooooo much.

--------------- Added [DATE]1229559777[/DATE] at [TIME]1229559777[/TIME] ---------------

ok, been trying to accomplish this, but having a difficult go at it. Here is pretty much what I am trying to do:

1. I created a Plugin:

$FDetails=$vbulletin->db->query_read("SELECT
`ForumDetails`.`SomeDetail`,
FROM
`ForumDetails` where `ForumDetails`.`forumid` = ".$forum[forumid]);

	while ($FDetails_info= $vbulletin->db->fetch_array($FDetails))
	{    
		$FDetails_info['MyDetails'] = $FDetails_info['SomeDetail'];
    }

2. I set up the hook to be the: forumdata_start

3. In my template (forumhome_forumbit_level2_post) I put the following as a test:

<!--Testing -->
<if condition="$FDetails_info['MyDetails'] == 1">
&nbsp;FOUND!
</if>

I was hoping that when it got to the forum that I marked 'SomeDetail = 1' in the database, that it would put the text 'FOUND!' in the area of the template I wanted.

That didn't happen I got no errors, but I am assuming that I am doing it wrong. Either the wrong hook (I hope it's that simple) or I am just way off base with what I am trying to do.

Any help would be appreciated.

thanks!

--------------- Added [DATE]1229559977[/DATE] at [TIME]1229559977[/TIME] ---------------

BTW - That template shows the forums on the homepage. Just an FYI incase it is a custom template (I don't know all about the templates myself)