Looking at the error, my blood began to boil:

PHP Fatal error: Column count doesn't match value count at row 1

So, I investigated where this was happening, and found it.  Effectively, when you write an INSERT like this:

INSERT INTO table VALUES ('1', '2', '3');

The DB will automatically match your values up with the columns.  Except, you’ve effectively broken the code because any change to the schema will change the number of columns.  Second, you cannot guarantee the column order on a table, so you just broke any chance of compatibility with another DB back-end.  Especially, in the case of multiple branches of a project being updated, you must be defensive about coding practices against the database.  You cannot assume anything about the mainline of development beyond your branch.

So, a small lesson.  Anytime you’re writing an INSERT, always, always, always, declare the column listing like so:

INSERT INTO table (col_1, col_2, col_3) VALUES ('1', '2', '3');

Now, you see that the DB doesn’t have to think about which columns you’re populating, you told it directly.  This also guards against the change in column order, as well as, the addition of new columns.  Remember, if you’re adding columns that are set to ‘NOT NULL’, be sure to set a sane acceptable default, and you shouldn’t have compatibility issues with your old inserts.

Closing side benefit, I can look at this new INSERT, and know what the columns are.  Given the first, I’d have to go check the DB, and verify the column order, etc.  Always put column names in.  Always.

Today on the radio one of the co-hosts was talking about a report from 60 Minutes about requiring restaurants in New York City to post nutritional information on the menus.  As if the nutritional board wasn’t enough, or if you really cared, asking the manager somehow failed to get you the information you’ve been seeking.

You know “what really grinds my gears”?  People blaming the fast food industry for making America fatter.  As if people that eat fast food don’t realize that the food isn’t good for them.  Ask anyone on the street, “If I dunk food in a vat of boiling oil (fat), is it healthy for me?”  Of course not!  People know it, but they keep eating it.  What reason does McDonalds have to change the way it makes food?  McDonalds doesn’t have the responsibility to maintain the health of America.  Secondly, if McDonalds doesn’t provide the fat, someone else will.  McDonalds isn’t the problem here, folks.  It’s the people visiting the McDonalds.

Now if the health industry wants to run some type of campaign to make America healthier, and they use stats from the fast food companies for nutritional content (or lack thereof), by all means.  But, in no way should they create legislation that affects the fast food industries business (by directly making them change anything).  I believe anything they want to do to change the business should be indirect.  Make the people want to change.  If the people want McDonalds to change, it will.  Until then, nothing will change.

Hopefully, this isn’t the last “Grinds My Gears” post.