Very simple forms question from a PHP newb.

synergy

I'm just getting started with PHP. I've setup Apache, MySQL, and PHP on a Win2k machine. Everything seems to work great except I cannot get a simple form to work. Here's my code for the form:

<form action="process.php" method="post">
  <p>Engine: 
    <input type="text" name="engine">
    <br>
    <br>
    Transmission: 
    <input type="text" name="transmission">
  </p>
  <p>Exterior Color: 
    <input type="text" name="exterior_color">
    <br>
    <br>
    Interior Color: 
    <input type="text" name="interior_color">
    <br>
    <br>
    Miles: 
    <input type="text" name="miles">
  </p>
  <p>Stock Number: 
    <input type="text" name="stock_number">
  </p>
  <p>

  </p>
  <input type="submit" namevalue="Submit">
</form>

And the code for process.php page:

<?php

echo $engine;
echo $transmission;
echo $exterior_color;
echo $interior_color;
echo $miles;
echo $stock_number;

?>

And finally, the errors that I get when I submit the form:

Notice: Undefined variable: engine in d:\apache group\apache\htdocs\process.php on line 11

Notice: Undefined variable: transmission in d:\apache group\apache\htdocs\process.php on line 12

Notice: Undefined variable: exterior_color in d:\apache group\apache\htdocs\process.php on line 13

Notice: Undefined variable: interior_color in d:\apache group\apache\htdocs\process.php on line 14

Notice: Undefined variable: miles in d:\apache group\apache\htdocs\process.php on line 15

Notice: Undefined variable: stock_number in d:\apache group\apache\htdocs\process.php on line 16

Any ideas why this isnt working? PHP works fine because I can declare and display variables.. but can't seem to pass them from a form. Thanks so much.

evo4ever

Change...

<?php

echo $engine;
echo $transmission;
echo $exterior_color;
echo $interior_color;
echo $miles;
echo $stock_number;

?>

...to:

echo $_POST["engine"];
echo $_POST["transmission"];
echo $_POST["exterior_color"];
echo $_POST["interior_color"];
echo $_POST["miles"];
echo $_POST["stock_number"];

🙂

synergy

wow it worked!!! I don't understand tho why just echoing the variables from the form didn't work the way I was doing it. I've read 2 tutorials and both use the method I was trying to do. What gives?

Thanks for the answer 🙂

evo4ever

If you use sessions then you only need to use the variables. Some ppl say that using just the variables is depreciated.

ahundiak

Actually, it's the ever popular register_globals=off issue. Many tutorials use the older style of coding in which all you do is use the name of the posted variable. And it still works ok if you have register_globals=on.

But the perfered way is to use $POST,$GET,$_SERVER and keep register_globals=off.

synergy

I see.. a session keeps track of the users activity from page to page. If you don't use the sessions, then you must declare where the variables are coming from ($_POST). Too bad this $50 PHP book I have here doesn't say anything about this.

I'm still curious as to why simply passing the variables form the form works for the author of the book, but not for me? He doesn't set up any type of session in his code. He just builds a simple form with the text fields named, then submits the form to a processing page that has the echoed variables with the same names as the text fields. Can you elaborate? Thanks for your time.

synergy

Originally posted by ahundiak
Actually, it's the ever popular register_globals=off issue. Many tutorials use the older style of coding in which all you do is use the name of the posted variable. And it still works ok if you have register_globals=on.

But the perfered way is to use $POST,$GET,$_SERVER and keep register_globals=off.

That answers my previous question 🙂 Thanks!