title: Inserting a variable in a raw sql query Laravel
body: <p>I am inside a function in a controller.</p>
  
  <p>So from the Form, I get a value for a variable, say:</p>
  
  <pre><code>$x = "whatever";
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Then I need to embed that variable (so, its value), in the WHERE statement. If I hardcode the value, it brings a correct result, but I have tried in all ways to insert that variable without success. Well, supposing that I manage to use that variable, then I will have to look into binding to avoid sql injection, but so far, I would say, see if that variable can get used in the query.</p>
  
  <p>I have tried, double quotes, concatenation . $vx . , curly braces {$x}, the variable plain like this $variable, but either gives syntax errors in some cases, (concatenation), or if I just embed the variable like this where author = $x, it tells me that it can't find the column named $x</p>
  
  <pre><code>$x = "whatever";
  $results = DB::select(DB::raw('SELECT 
                             t.id, t.AvgStyle, r.RateDesc
                         FROM (
                             SELECT
                                 p.id, ROUND(AVG(s.Value)) AS AvgStyle
                             FROM posts p
  
                             INNER JOIN styles s
                                 ON s.post_id = p.id
                             WHERE author = $x    
                             GROUP BY p.id
                         ) t
                         INNER JOIN rates r
                             ON r.digit = t.AvgStyle'
                             ));
  </code></pre>