Global Vars Disappering in Functions

[Anon]

Hi,

I've been unable to determine why a global var is not being carried into all underling functions. In the following example, I'm loosing a value on the LName when it hits Function 3. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Tim

<?php

define (FUNCT1, 0);
define (FUNCT2,1);
define (FUNCT3,2);
define ('NL', '<BR>');

if (!$action){ $action=0;}

function F1()
{
global $PHP_SELF, $LName;

printf("<form method=\"post\" action=\"%s?action=%d\">\n", $PHP_SELF, FUNCT2 );
echo "<B>Last Name</b>" . NL;
echo "<INPUT TYPE='TEXT' NAME='LName' SIZE='30' VALUE=''></Center>";
echo "<input type='submit' value='Submit'>";
}

function F2()
{
global $PHP_SELF, $LName;

echo ("Function: F2") . NL;
echo ("LName: $LName") . NL ;
printf("<form method=\"post\" action=\"%s?action=%d\">\n", $PHP_SELF, FUNCT3);
echo ("<INPUT type='SUBMIT' value='Next'>");
}

function F3()
{
global $PHP_SELF, $LName;

echo ("Function: F3") . NL;
echo ("LName: $LName") . NL ;
printf("<form method=\"post\" action=\"%s?action=%d\">\n", $PHP_SELF, FUNCT1 );
echo ("<INPUT type='SUBMIT' value='Next'>");
}

if (!$action){$action=0;}

global $PHP_SELF, $LName, $action;

switch ($action) {

  case FUNCT1:
     F1();
     break;

  case FUNCT2:
     F2();
     break;

  case FUNCT3:
     F3();
    break;

  default:
     echo ("unknown action: $action");

};

?>

[dannys]

In F2, you arn't doing anything to keep the variable alive - you'll need to pass it in the query string or store it in a hidden input.

[Anon]

What determines the life time and scope of the variable?

[dannys]

Right, in function F2 a new form is produced with a single variable ($action), Ok?

Now, when you hit the submit button, $action is all that is sent to PHP script - any other variables you had (namely $LName) are lost because you didn't send them to the PHP script.

Basically, just because you're calling the same PHP script from each form, doesn't mean that your variables are kept intact, you'll only have what you've sent in that paticular instance.

Hope this is clearer