Refresh looses forms data

ericaustin

I have a form using

$_SERVER['PHP_SELF']."?".$_SERVER['QUERY_STRING']

as an action method (I pass it some arguments on the command line). I do some input validation and if errors are found, I do a
<script language="JavaScript">

to display the error and reload the page.

Everything worked fine until I added sessions to the mix. Prior to adding sessions, the page reloaded and the form data previously entered remained on the form. Now that I have a session_start();, whenever the page reloads I get the following error:

"Warning: Page has Expired The page you requested was created using information you submitted in a form. This page is no longer available. As a security precaution, Internet Explorer does not automatically resubmit your information for you.

To resubmit your information and view this Web page, click the Refresh button"

If I then Refresh, the form reloads but comes up blank. Is there a way around this? I don't mind the IE security message. I just don't want the users to have to start over from scratch if there's one small error on the form.

Attached files in php.zip:
common.php contains the error display/reload javascript
accesscontrol.php contains the access control/session info
picksheet.php contains the form that does not reload properly

Forgive the sloppy code. This is my first shot at programming in 15 years!

Eric

planetsim

You cannot refresh a page that has data on it.
If you want to use the same file a simple

if(!isset($_POST['submit']))
{
//form here
}
else
{
//process data here
}

will do quite fine.
Refreshing a page is almost exactly the same as going back a page after a form.

ericaustin

I see what you mean but I don't see how I can display some sort of error indicating why the inout did not validate. I found another thread on this topic here:

http://www.phpbuilder.com/board/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10213958&highlight=form+data+session

I tried to implement it but I'm just too damn stupid/burnt out to get it working. Someone please tell me what's wrong!!

<?php
include("accesscontrol.php");
$form = $_SESSION['form'];
if (!isset($_POST['submitok'])) {
  ?>
  <html>
  <head>
  <title> Members-Only Page </title>
  </head>
  <body>
  <p>Welcome, <?php print $_SESSION['uid']; ?>!</p>
  <form method=post action=<?php $_SERVER['PHP_SELF']; ?>>
    <input type=text name="form[fname]" value="<?php print $form['fname']; ?>">
    <input type=text name="form[lname]" value="<?php print $form['lname']; ?>">
    <input type=submit name=submitok value="OK">
  </form>
  </body>
  </html>
  <?php
}
else {
  $_SESSION['form'] = array();
  if ($_POST['form[fname]'] == 'Eric') {
    ?>
    <html>
    <head>
    <title> Members-Only Page </title>
    </head>
    <body>
      <p>Welcome, <?php print $_SESSION['uid'] ?>!</p>
    </body>
    </html>
    <?php
  }
  else {
    $_SESSION['form'] = $_POST['form'];
//    header("Location: protectedpage.php");
    print "FNAME: ".$_POST['$form[fname]'];
  }
}
?>

The print line at the end does not display anything. I'm sure it's stupid, I just can't figure out how to access my $_POST values.

planetsim

Is that your script now. Or is that the script you copied from the thread.

Now its basically what i said. Except its using Sessions.

But i did explain it i thought quite clearly.
Now

copy the form. Place it where i said //form here

then the processing information where it should be.

ericaustin

First of let me thank you for your assistance thus far. I understand your point and am utilizing your suggestion. My problem is that the posted data is cleared. Here's an example:

<?php
session_start();
if (!isset($_POST['submit'])) {
  if (isset($_SESSION['msg'])) {
    print $_SESSION['msg'];
  }
  ?>
  <form method=POST action=<?php $_SERVER['PHP_SELF']; ?>>
    True? <input name=true type=checkbox value=true />
    <input name=saveme type=text>
    <input type=submit name=submit value=Submit />
  </form>
  <?php
}
else {
  if ($_POST['true'] == 'true') {
    print "Success!";
    unset($_SESSION['msg']);
  }
  else {
    $_SESSION['msg'] = "Must Check True";
    header("Location: test.php");
  }
}

This code has a checkbox (true) that must be set or an error must be displayed and the form reposted so they can correct their error. Data entered into the text box is not retained when the form is redisplayed. Not a big deal for this form but I have on with 60+ entries. I don't want the user to have to re-enter all 60 fields just because they missed one. How can I have the form populate the fields with the data that was originally posted?

ericaustin

c'mon I know someone's run into this before...