> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://mariadb.com/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://mariadb.com/docs/connectors/mariadb-connector-c/api-functions/mysql_net_field_length.md).

# mysql\_net\_field\_length

## Syntax

```bnf
#include <mysql.h>

unsigned long mysql_net_field_length(unsigned char **packet)
```

## Parameter

| Parameter | Description                                                          |
| --------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `packet`  | A pointer to a pointer to the current position in the packet buffer. |

## Description

Returns the length of a length encoded field and increments the pointer to the beginning of the field.

## Return Value

Returns the length of the field.

{% hint style="info" %}
This function is part of the **low level protocol API** and can be used to retrieve data if a callback function was provided for fetching results from prepared statements.
{% endhint %}

## See Also

* [`mysql_net_read_packet()`](/docs/connectors/mariadb-connector-c/api-functions/mysql_net_read_packet.md)