Default value

[Anon]

Hi Guys,
Whats the best way to insert a default value into a MySQL database if the user doesn't, for instance, put a value into a form being processed through PHP?
Can i do it through the PHP or is there a way of placing the value in the database so that only when the user puts a value in the form and submits it does the default value change.

Hope this makes sense.
mel

[bduncan]

Well one way, if you need to calculate a possible value is:
<input type="text" name="field_name" size="25" maxlength="25" value="<?php if (isset($calc_val)) { echo $calc_val; } ?>">

Otherwise, just use <input ... value="default_val">

Is that what you mean? When you post the form to your validation page, unless they over-write something in the field, $field_name will equal whatever you specified. I use this in some hidden fields too!

[aleph_x]

Mel,

When you are creating your DB, you can specify a default value for your a column.

CREATE TABLE foobar {
id bigint unsigned primary key,
my_col int unsigned default 0
};

The table foobar has 2 columns. The second column, my_col, has a default value of 0. So if you do an insert statement into foobar and don't specify a value for my_col, it will be set to 0.