mysql_field_type differentiate between varchar and text

Question

I need to get the datatype of a column, but both varchar and text datatypes both return the value 'string' under the mysql_field_type function in php.

Is there a better, more specific method of checking a columns datatype?

Answer 1

You can always run a SHOW COLUMNS IN your_table query (via the regular mysql_query() function), which gives you details on the table's columns.