Left join MySql/PHP - php

Question

Whilst populating a table based on ids and labels from different tables, it appeared apparent there must potentially be a better way of achieving the same result with less code and a more direct approach using LEFT JOIN but i am puzzled after trying to work out if its actually capable of achieving the desired result.
Am i correct in thinking a LEFT JOIN is usable in this instance?
Referencing two tables against one another where one lists id's related to another table and that other table has the titles allocated for each reference?
I know full well that if theres independent information for each row LEFT JOIN is suitable, but where theres in this case only several ids to reference for many rows, i just am not clicking with how i could get it to work...
The current way i am achieving my desired result in PHP/MySQL
$itemid = $row['item_id'];
$secid = mysql_query(" SELECT * FROM item_groups WHERE item_id='$itemid' ");
while ($secidrow = mysql_fetch_assoc($secid)) {
//echo $secidrow["section_id"]; //testing
$id = $secidrow["section_id"];
$secnameget = mysql_query(" SELECT * FROM items_section_list WHERE item_sec_id='$id' ");
while ($secname = mysql_fetch_assoc($secnameget)) {
echo $secname["section_name"];
}
}
Example of the data
Item groups
:drink
:food
:shelf
Item List
itemId, groupId
Group List
groupId, groupTitle
The idea so outputting data to a table instead of outputting "Item & Id Number, in place of the ID Number the title actually appears.
I have achieved the desired result but i am always interested in seeking better ways to achieve the desired result.

Answer 1

If I've deciphered your code properly, you should be able to use the following query to get both values at the same time.
$itemid = $row['item_id'];
$secid = mysql_query("
SELECT *
FROM item_groups
LEFT JOIN items_section_list
ON items_section_list.item_sec_id = item_groups.section_id
WHERE item_id='$itemid'
");
while ($secidrow = mysql_fetch_assoc($secid)) {
//$id = $secidrow["section_id"];
echo $secidrow["section_name"];
}