php - MYSQL string to check against multiple fields -

i'm trying check similar entry doesn't exist in database based on 4 pieces of information before inserting new row. it's ok if same name exists example, not if name, lat/long,, , time same. here code:

$query3 = "insert locations ( name, time, area, latitude, longitude, current, previous, destination ) select * ( select name, time, area, latitude, longitude, current, previous, destination) tmp not exists (     select  name, latitude, longitude, time     locations     name = '$name' , latitude = '$latitude' , longitude = '$longitude' , time = '$timereceived') "; 

the error pulling

could not connect: unknown column 'name' in 'field list' 

i don't understand error message, , i'm thinking have syntax error in mysql string. thank in advance!

your query messed up. using single quotes column names , somewhere using backticks values , somewhere using variables in column name

as in query have used

$name, $timereceived, $area, $latitude, $longitude, $currentport, $previousport, $destination 

i guess these variables holding column names if not use column name directly in query

it should like

$query3 = "insert locations  ( name,  time,  area,  latitude,  longitude,  current,  previous,  destination ) select *  (     select $name, $timereceived, $area, $latitude, $longitude, $currentport, $previousport, $destination) tmp     not exists      (         select  name, latitude, longitude, time          locations         name = '$name' , latitude = '$latitude' , longitude = '$longitude' , time = '$timereceived') "; 

update query not correct , missing alias here 1 query should work

insert locations  (    name,    time,    area,    latitude,    longitude,    current,    previous,    destination  )  select *  (    select    name,    time,    area,    latitude,    longitude,    current,    previous,    destination   locations  )l1  not exists  (    select    1    locations l2      l2.name = 'ocean'    , l2.latitude = '145.717'    , l2.longitude = '-16.6365'    , l2.time = '2014-04-23 13:45' ); 

demo

update2 howard krause has issues of adding data multiple times fix applied as

insert locations  (name, area, latitude, longitude, current, previous, destination, time)  select a.name, a.area, a.latitude, a.longitude, a.current, a.previous, a.destination, a.time  (  select  name, area, latitude, longitude, current, previous,  destination, time)  not exists (  select 1 locations name= '$name' , longitude = '$longitude' );