fetching data from backend, only single character and adding data

create table test
(
	name varchar(20),
	gender varchar(20),
	salary varchar(20)
);

insert into test values ('nm1','male','20000');
insert into test values ('nm2','female','85000');
insert into test values ('nm3','male','1000');
insert into test values ('nm4','unknown',NULL);

I am new to PHP, just learning.

I've a sample data of my table. While showing data in front, for gender I've to show
only the first character i.e. m/f/u and for salary I've to sum the total amount from front i.e
by using PHP.
also in my table salary is in varchar would I've to parse it as number?

<pre lang="xml"><?php
        include('conn.php');
        $result =mysql_query("select * from test")
            or die(mysql_error());

        echo "<table cellpadding = '10'>";
        echo "<tr>
                <th>name:</th>
                <th>gender:</th>
                <th>total salary:</th>
            </tr>";

        while($row = mysql_fetch_array($result))
        {
            echo "<tr>";
            echo '<td>'.$row['name'].'</td>';
            echo '<td>'.$row['gender'].'</td>';
            echo '<td>'.$row['salary'].'</td>';
        }
    ?>

Tags: PHP