if ("red" == "red") {
print "red";
} else {
print "not red";
}

"red" == "red" ? print "red" : print "not red";

[condition] ? [codes to bexecuted when true] : [codes to be executed when false]

$sql = "SELECT *
FROM armor
WHERE armor_type = '{$type}'
  AND SUBSTRING(armor_name, 1, 1) LIKE '{$first_letter}'
ORDER BY armor_name ASC";

if(!($result = mysql_query($sql))) {
die(mysql_error());
}

while ($item[] = mysql_fetch_array($result, MYSQL_ASSOC));

//do the processing of data here. i always use a for.. loop.

for ($x = $start; $x < $display_item; $x++) {
if ($item[$x]['armor_sold'] == "") {
 $armor_sold = "N/A";
} else {
 $armor_sold = explode(":", $item[$x]['armor_sold']);
 $armor_sold = implode(", ", $armor_sold);
}
}

$query=mysql_query(QUERYGOESHERE);

while($row=mysql_fetch_row($query)) echo 'WHATYOUWANTTOECHO; THE ROWS SELECT BY THE QUERY';

$query=mysql_query("SELECT username,realname,age,location,essay FROM mod_apps WHERE status='Approved'");

while($row=mysql_fetch_row($query)) echo '<tr ',shade(),'><td>'.$row[0].'</td><td>'.$row[1].'</td><td>'.$row[2].'</td><td>'.$row[3].'</td><td>'.$row[4].'</td></tr>';