noob sql fetch array question

[keymistress]

i know how to do a normal php mysql fetch array but using vb3's codes, i'm lost!

can somebody guide me please... here's my not-working code:

PHP Code:

    global $vbulletin;

    $query = $vbulletin->db->query_read("SELECT * FROM mob WHERE memberID LIKE '$userId'");

    $result = $vbulletin->db->fetch_array($query);
    $result['smsCredits'] = $smsCredits;

    echo "My Credits: $smsCredits";
    $vbulletin->db->free_result($query); 

i can't get $smsCredits...

[Alan @ CIT]

PHP Code:

$result['smsCredits'] = $smsCredits; 

is back-to-front. Change it to:

PHP Code:

$smsCredits = $result['smsCredits']; 

[keymistress]

i've got it all working now writing it like this

PHP Code:

function foo()
{
    global $vbulletin;

    $query = $vbulletin->db->query_read("SELECT * FROM " . mob . " WHERE memberID LIKE " . $vbulletin->userinfo['userid']);

    $result = $vbulletin->db->fetch_array($query);
    $smsCredits = $result['smsCredits'];
    return $smsCredits;
    $vbulletin->db->free_result($query);
}

$smsCredits = foo(); 

then i show the $smsCredits in my template...
it looks kinda complicated, is there a simplified way of writing this?