Losing form variables

Anon

Why is it that after a form is processed and say $comments entered in a form textbox is printed on the next screen it can not be then called again on the next screen?

For example I've created a form which when submitted shows the users input before they confirm it is right on a new php script. But after the user clicks proceed (and the sql commands run) the script puts empty fileds into the database. How can I make it so these variables are not lost?

ccranium

Form variables only exist when the user's browser sends them. The user's browser only sends form variables when they submit the form the first time.

On the second page store all the results in hidden inputs in a form.

Anon

Thank you, but how can I store the variables as hidden inputs?

Do you mean for example copy $comments as $comments_2 creating a new variable.
eg:
<?
$comments = $comments_2
?>

Anon

no, what he means is this:

-j

Anon

Great, thanks, I'll try that.

Anon

Still having problems...

I've diplayed the code at:

http://www.brooky.com/mh/request.htm
(Code to display original form - works fine)

http://www.brooky.com/mh/request_conf.htm

(Code for users to confirm their data is correct after it is validated, which once submitted puts details in MySQL database - database turns out empty)

You can see for yourself at:
http://www.brooky.com/mh/login.php

Then form needs to be filled out with GP's perscribing number as 337088 and all other fields must have something in (except just one request).

Thankyou 🙂

ccranium

Freddie,

Forms are data sent from the user's web browser to the server, where you can then access them. They are not static variables that reside on the server, so variables created from forms are only accessible when a user has submitted a form.

The first option, the one I tried to describe, is to duplicate all the form elements on request_conf.php so when the user submits the "Confirm" form, the user's browser sends all the same information again, so when request_conf.php loads after they confirm their values, it has access to all the form variables again.

Remember, every time a page is loaded, it will only have form variables if a user's browser submitted them. The way things are currently set up, the only form variable being submitted when the user confirms is the submit button.

Another option is to save all the values into a temporary location in your database, and then move them into the "Confirmed" table once the user actually confirms things.

This particular method has the added bonus of letting users "save" their cart status and come back at a later date, but has the slight disadvantage of wasted disk space, as incomplete orders will end up floating around in your temporary location until they are deleted, either manually or by some process.

I'm sure there are lots more options, but these are the two methods I most commonly use.

(maybe every time a user confirms an order, run a delete from [temporaryLocation] where dateSubmitted < [6 days ago])

Anon

Thats fantastic, thank you very much.