Question: What is wrong with this code. I seem to have the same problems everytime I try to use an AND or an `OR` in a mysql statement.

I am obviously not understanding how this is being interpreted as I can never get it to work. 

```
SELECT *
  FROM customer
 WHERE (record_number = '{$_POST['record_number']}')
    OR (po = '{$_POST['record_number']}) 
LIMIT 1

```

Even when I enter the correct data, it comes back as nothing found. What is the proper syntax for this - drives me insane. I have tried this 10 different ways, including no ( brackets, brakets in different areas of the statement etc.

Answer: 
You didn't close the quote on `OR (po='{$_POST['record_number']})`.

On a side note - this is hugely opened to sql injection attack - might want to look into sanitizing your inputs.
The problem is not because of the structure of your query, but because you are breaking it with your single colons.

```
(record_number='{$_POST['record_number']}') OR (po='{$_POST['record_number']})

```

In PHP, you are allowed to not use single colons in array indexes, so try this:

```
(record_number='{$_POST[record_number]}') OR (po='{$_POST[record_number]}')

```

Although I consider it to be bad practice to not use single colons in arrays and there are other ways to build your query string.