php mySQL error of syntax - php

Question

I'm not a newbie to PHP but I have encountered a [seemingly] simple problem which I cannot figure out how to resolve.
MySQL throws error that the syntax is wrong.
My Statement is this:
if($value){
$query = "UPDATE ".$preuploads." SET words = '$words_amount' WHERE id= $sn_id";
$db->sql_query( $query ) or die( mysql_error() );
}
And then $words_amount is an integer, $sn_id is also an integer. They are double checked.
The statement when printed before execution is as follows:
UPDATE SET uploads words = '250' WHERE id= 8081
// edited, with the name of table added since the problem primarily was
// with the encapsulation and the name of table just was dropped in this question
// and not in the app
however words value ('250') is tested with integer data-type as well, but no change occurs and the error lingers on.
And the error thrown is:
You have an error in your SQL syntax; check the manual that corresponds to your MySQL server version for the right syntax to use near 'SET words = '250' WHERE id= 8081' at line 1

Answer 1

If I understand your question (and preuploads is a table), then
$query = "UPDATE ".$preuploads." SET words = '$words_amount' WHERE id= $sn_id";
should be
$query = "UPDATE ".$preuploads." SET words = '".$words_amount."' WHERE id=".$sn_id;
Or, even better prepare and use bind_param,
$stmt = $mysqli->prepare("UPDATE ? SET words=? WHERE id=?");
$stmt->bind_param($preuploads, $words_amount, $snd_id);
$stmt->execute();

Answer 2

check your string ($words_amount) has any single quotes ' if it is then remove it by using this option on php $words_amount=string_replace("'","/'",$your_string_variable);

Answer 3

I have found two errors:
First, not encapsulation of the data should occur, thus:
$words_count should be left as is, not to be encapsulated with '
And the table and fields name should be encapsulated with backtick

Answer 4

I think your having problem with name of table. The syntax for update query is
UPDATE table_name SET words = '250' WHERE id= 8081