Why can't I call an SQL select based on the primary key?

I have a pretty simple table with 5 columns:

key, datetime, title, body, image

The user selects a title from a dropdown box and a form is populated with the datetime, body, and image. When I try to select by key nothing happens. However, If I select by title it works.

doesn't work:

SELECT body FROM myTable WHERE key='140'

works:

SELECT body FROM myTable W开发者_JS百科HERE title='hello world'

I've tried this by typing the query directly into phpMyAdmin and it gives me an error saying there is a problem at 'key='140''.

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key is a reserved word. You should surround it with backticks:

SELECT body FROM myTable WHERE `key`='140'

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Because most likely key is numeric

try:

SELECT body FROM myTable WHERE key=140

without the quotes

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Or possibly a combination of the two answers already given. A numeric key with a reserved word:

SELECT body FROM myTable WHERE `key`=140

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Because key is a reserve word on SQL.

you can use

SELECT body FROM myTable WHERE [key]='140'