Not sure how to implement Mysql if-else statement

[s0crates9]

I have three tables in my test db. we will call them, "category","item" and "data". What I want to do it have a delete statement that will remove the selected "category" ID then look for "items" or "data" that are associated with the "category" being deleted.

I am not sure how to do this, but I believe it's possible. the "category" ID is also refered to in the "item" table but the "data" table does not have a "category" ID, rather the "data" table has an "item" ID referenced to the "item" table. An illustration of sorts:

Category
catid
catname

Item
itemid
itemname
catid

Data
dataid
dataname
itemid

Anyone know how to properly set it up to determine if there is any data in "item" or "data" to be deleted once the "category" table is set for deletion?

Thanks in advance!

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[r937]

i think this is a fabulous opportunity to implement ON DELETE CASCADE

when you delete a category, the database automatically deletes all items in the category, and also, all data rows for items in that category

look on the mysql site under FOREIGN KEY, because that is how you implement ON DELETE CASCADE

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