MySQL where column = 'x, y, z'

Question

Here's my situation: I need to select all the messages where user_id = x OR y OR z.

I have an array in PHP:

users = ('1', '2', '3')

is there anyway to select all the messages where user_id = one of those values without having a massive query of:

user_id = '1' OR user_id = '2' OR user_id = '3?'

(I need to receive the messages of 100+ people so it would be inefficient)

Thanks

Answer 1

Use an IN clause.

SELECT *
    FROM YourTable
    WHERE user_id IN ('1','2','3')

Answer 2

Yes! You can use the IN operator:

user_id IN ('1', '2', '3')

If your array will always be safe and contain elements, you can do:

"user_id IN ('" . implode("', '", $users) . "')"

in PHP, too.

Answer 3

Probably you don't like IN keyword. Instead, you can use a regular expression like this:

select * from your_table where user_id regexp '1|2|3'

Answer 4

user_id >= 1 AND <= 3 

Is one alternative.

Answer 5

before strings ids are:

$query = "SELECT * FROM table_name WHERE user_id IN('1','2','3')";

preformance int for ids:

$query = "SELECT * FROM table_name WHERE user_id IN(1,2,3)";