php - running a mysql count command within a looped drop down function -

basically, have created drop down box populated mysql database of primary catagories. when selection made, ajax function called runs query display sub catagories.

for example,

primary_catagory = p

sub_catagory = s

p s

1 a

1 b

1 c

2 d

2 e

2 f

so when selection made in primary category, show either a,b , c or d, e , f depending on if 1 or 2 selected. query works fine except final cosmetic feature, show number of sub categories contained within primary one.

so drop down box show choice (3) , choice b (2) example.

this code have far, displays (1) every result. code stands.

<select id="p_catagory" name="p_catagory" onchange = "getdata(this); return true;" style="position:absolute;left:0px;top:10px;width:315px;height:20px;z-index:11;text-align:left;">  if ($_get['p_catagory'] == "all") {     <option value='all'>show all</option> }  while ($row = mysqli_fetch_array($result, mysql_assoc)) {     $query2 = "select * db_class_catagories primary_catagory=".$var;     $result2 = mysqli_query($dbconnection, $query2);     $entries = count($result2);      echo "<option value='" . $row['primary_catagory'] . "'>"           . $row['primary_catagory'] . " " . "(" . $entries . ")"           . "</option>";     } ?> </select>  

ive been on days , cant seem find work around, suggestions?

thanks

please try use:

$entries = mysqli_num_rows($result2);

instead of old line:

$entries = count($result2);

i think should help.