Getting newest message from user - php

Question

How can I get the newest message from the person who sends a user a message?
Right now it's showing...
first_name last_name This is the newest message I sent you 2012-08-11 14:23:38
first_name last_name test 2012-08-11 14:20:35
<?php
echo '<div id ="inbox_name">Name</div><div id="inbox_message">Message</div><div id="inbox_time">Time</div><div id="inbox_line"></div>';
$query = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM `private_messages` WHERE `to_id`=$session_user_id ORDER BY `time_sent` DESC") or die("Error connecting to database. Please try again later.");
while ($row = mysql_fetch_array($query)) {
$to_id = $row['to_id'];
$from_id = $row['from_id'];
$message = $row['message'];
$time= $row['time_sent'];
$message_information = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM `sentrl_users` WHERE `id`=$from_id LIMIT 1");
while ($row_information = mysql_fetch_array($message_information)) {
$first_name = $row_information['first_name'];
$last_name = $row_information['last_name'];
$username = $row_information['username'];
echo '<div id="inbox_information"><div id="recieved_name">'. $first_name . ' ' . $last_name .'</div><div id="recieved_message">'. $message .'</div><div id="recieved_time">'. $time .'</div></div>';
}
}
?>
I tried using limit 1, but that didnt work. I'm trying to just get the newest message WITHOUT duplicating the first_name and last_name.

Answer 1

If what you want is ONLY ONE row, instead of
while ($row = mysql_fetch_array($query)) {
//EVERYTHING INSIDE THE ORIGINAL WHILE LOOP
}
you should write
while($row=mysql_fetch_array($query)){
$array[$row["from_id"]]=$row;
}
foreach($array as $row){
//EVERYTHING INSIDE THE ORIGINAL WHILE LOOP
}