Database newbie

[run_GMoney]

I've got a question regarding proper coding techniques. Let's say I have a database with 1 table, and 5 fields in this table. My website has 5 different pages. Each page has a series of radio buttons. Everyone with me so far? Good. Each page would correspond to a field in my database. For instance, let's say my first page has a bunch of colors. You would select one color, and that selection would be stored in the "color" field of my database. Then, you would be sent to the next page, Shape. Again, radio buttons, one selection sent to the Shape field in the database. I hope this isn't confusing anyone. So basically, after you've made your selections on each of the 5 web pages, you're table will have a full row. Is this a possible/normal/silly method for sending data to a database? Would I have to form each SQL statement like this:

INSERT INTO table ("blue","","","","")

If so, how would I do my next entry because wouldn't another INSERT statement make a new row?? What is the proper method for performing something like this? I greatly appreciate any and everyones input. Thanks

[TGixer]

IMO, i think one page would be the best choice, and the easiest to do..

why do you want 5 pages? your making it tougher on the user. simplify the user interface.

thats my opinion.

[run_GMoney]

Well, it's an application for a pocket pc, so I'd like for all of the choices to fit on one page. Not to mention I've got about 10-15 pages. I just threw out a general example to get me started in the right direction. I'm more concerned with the proper coding techniques of doing it the way I described.

[xblue]

If you'd do it like this, you'd need an insert statement on the first page, and update statements on the following. the downside: a lot of unnecessary database connections and queries + incomplete records when a user leaves your site.

it is fairly common to carry the values through to the last page and only have one insert statement there.

this could be either done using hidden input fields (drawback: if you do any validation, you'd need to do it twice to be user-friendly + protected against manipulation, and though not visible, you'd transfer a lot of additional content) or employ sessions, where only a unique id is stored in a cookie or passed through the pages, while the actual data is stored on the server.

[run_GMoney]

I realize that's kind of a choppy way to do it, with opening and closing connections like that but it seems like that's my only choice. Is it ever done that way in the real world?

[xblue]

it may be done here and there for sensible or silly reasons, you never know, but I doubt that it is common.

anyway, why aren't hidden form fields or sessions an option for you?

[run_GMoney]

Those, I assume, could be options for me. I've never done or seen anything on them. Do you have any info or somewhere I can go to check out those methods? I'm really open to anything at this point.

[xblue]

okay, just a quick outline

hidden form fields:

on page 2 where you receive the input from page 1, you'd insert these values into the form, like (assuming form is submitted via post and php version >=4.2):

<!-- html mode -->
<input type="hidden" name="value1" value="<?php echo $_POST['value1']; ?>">

or

// php mode
echo '<input type="hidden" name="value1" value="'.$_POST['value1'].'">';

and repeat this for all relevant form values on all pages.

sessions:
put the command session_start(); on top of all pages (no html before that!)
to store a value, use

$_SESSION['value1'] = $_POST['value1'];

to retrieve all the values on the last page, simply get them from the session array: $_SESSION['valuename']

[run_GMoney]

Thanks, that should be very helpful. I like the sessions method. Do I still need to connect to my DB at each web page or is the connection only made at the last page?

[xblue]

no, it is required at the last page only.

there are a lot of tutorials about sessions around that may be helpful as well, but I'd recommend to pick a recent one, since a lot use the outdated session_register() which is not needed anymore.

[run_GMoney]

Looks like our server is running version 4.1.1. What does that mean for the syntax that I shoud use?

[xblue]

that should work okay. I mixed it up, the syntax changed with 4.1, not 4.2, so 4.1.1 should be fine.

[run_GMoney]

Yep, you're right. I just started going through a sessions tutorial and so far everythings working fine. It's an excellent tutorial. Anyone interested can check it out at:

http://www.phpfreaks.com/tutorials/41/0.php

I highly recommend it. Thanks again for all your help