server validation to restrict login
building web site for posting items for sale
basic membership can post 10 items then must upgrade account.
php/mysql tables
accounts
items
primary index accounts.account_ID
index items.account_ID
sql is this
SELECT COUNT(items.account_ID)
FROM items INNER JOIN accounts ON items.account_ID = accounts.account_ID
WHERE accounts.account_email = var1
GROUP BY items.account_ID
//var1 is $_POST['user_name'] // user name is login text field
not sure how to get a server validation from this or if that is even what i want
i want a user to be denied login when they reach their posting limit and echo a message to encourage them to upgrade.