mysql match...against by referencing string variable - php

Question

I am trying to find a match in two different columns using input from two different form fields in a PHP form. I am referencing the two string variables that are input into the form in my mysql code, but it is returning an error:
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 'MATCH (abcdef) AGAINST name' at line 1
I have tried a few variations of the syntax, but with no success.
$name = mysql_real_escape_string($_POST['studentname']);
$num = mysql_real_escape_string($_POST['studentnum']);
$qw = "SELECT name FROM students MATCH ($name) AGAINST name";
$qw1 = "SELECT studentnum FROM students MATCH ($num) AGAINST studentnum";
$namematch = mysql_query($qw) or die(mysql_error());
$nummatch = mysql_query($qw1) or die(mysql_error());
if (($namematch || $nummatch) == FALSE) {
die('Name or student number do not match those on record');
}

Answer 1

I believe you have your parameters backwards in the MATCH clause. You have:
$qw = "SELECT name FROM students MATCH ($name) AGAINST name";
Instead it should be:
$qw = "SELECT name FROM students MATCH (name) AGAINST $name";
In other words, MATCH (column) AGAINST (parameter), not the other way around.
http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.0/en/fulltext-search.html#function_match

Answer 2

try this, use in_array to match array:
while($row = mysqli_fetch_array($qw)){
$namematch[] = $row['name'];
}
while($row2 = mysqli_fetch_array($qw)){
$nummatch[] = $row['studentnum'];
}
if(in_array($name,$namematch)){
echo 0;
}else{
echo 1;
}
*NOTE Please avoid to use mysql. I suggest use MYSQLi rather than use MYSQL. Just FYI.

Answer 3

First off, you are missing WHERE in your SQL statements.
Second, you have your arguments in MATCH and AGAINST reversed. MATCH should be given the column names as arguments.
E.g.
SELECT name FROM students MATCH ($name) AGAINST name
should be
SELECT name FROM students WHERE MATCH (name) AGAINST ('$name')
and similarly adjust your second query.