Form processing: "0" and "" values via POST

[sid]

aaaaargh... again... i dont know how many times i ran into this problem already...

Why does PHP process form fields with the value "0" the same as if it was ""??? and is there a function to check that with? (is_null() doesnt help much)

the problem i have is, im writing a test score script which should store the values from 0 points to 24 points in a database (float) - and if the field is empty it should store the value "-1" (or NULL for that matter - doesnt make a big difference for me) - standing for "not handed in".

pretty much this is the only thing i need:

if (!$points) {
    $points = -1;
}

but it also enters this conditional if $points == "0" - how do i distinct an empty field to a field with the value "0"?

thanks a lot in advance...

sid

[eoghain]

0 = false in PHP so if (!$points) and ponts = 0 then you will get a false positive. Now if that's not a convoluted sentence. Anyway what you want is:

if ($points == "") {
   $points = -1;
}

[sid]

yes - thanks - works man... now it also makes sense...

[michael]

I like is_empty. Depending on the build, it will accomplish the same thing.