dynamically change <option>s

[Anon]

hi,

i have 2 <select> and want to change the <option>s of the second based on the option selected in the first. (the second should show sub-items of the first. these are different for every main item.)

all options are retrieved from a db (mysql). at the moment i have a nice drop-down-list containing the main items but i don't have a clue how to change the the second drop-down-list efficiently.

[Anon]

Well, what you are trying to do is complicated but not impossible. Basically, you need to use PHP to print out the contents of a javascript array. Then use that javascript array to change the values in your select.

here is a javascript that will do what you want:

http://www.mattkruse.com/javascript/dynamicoptionlist/

then, you need to use PHP to make the arrays instead of hard coding them.

good luck.

[Anon]

but if user has turned off javascript or hasn't javascript, everything is fucked up.

my suggestion: do such things only on the server side, for example:

if first select-box has selected, load same page again and fill in the right data on select-box 2 dependend on what value is set on the first select-box...

good luck

[Anon]

got it working now with this nice javascript library...
ok, i don't like javascript that much... but it's definitely faster then reloading the page every time a new item is selected...
i also have 2 dynamic option lists... (the second one depending on the first) like the example on the page of matt kruse...

thanks for the help you two...

(and if my boss doesn't like the javascript solution i have to do it via reloading the page anyway... hopefully not 🙂 )