mysqli - MySQL: Adding a row with a certain value if it isn't in the table -

i have table setup unique column called, example, test. want insert row column test if there isn't row in table test. know insert query , throw error if existed (and wouldn't cause harm afaik), there way using mysql? i'm pretty sure can done functions i've never used before , think there's easier way.

thanks help, appreciate it!

sounds job insert ignore:

if use ignore keyword, errors occur while executing insert statement treated warnings instead. example, without ignore, row duplicates existing unique index or primary key value in table causes duplicate-key error , statement aborted. ignore, row still not inserted, no error issued.