Holding Variables

AlGale

I am posting a search term to a page that then shows results based on that term. however, I am using LIMIT to show only 2 results per page. The trouble I am having, is that when I then click on the NEXT link, the search term is being lost.

Any ideas?

I can supply code if needed. Thanks

trexx

easy... just add the search term to the next-link and run the query again with the search term from the URL parameter.

Take a look at google. They've done the same. The search term is stored in the 'q' URL paramter there.

AlGale

Er, thanks for the reply... however, I did post this within the Newbies forum. I dont suppose youd care to expand that a little for me would you??

Thanks again.

trexx

sorry g alright then...

assuming you have a query on your search (search.php) page. it may look like:

mysql_query( "SELECT * FROM mytable WHERE text LIKE '%{$searchTerm}' LIMIT $next, 2" );

ok - you have a form where you can enter your search-term. So $searchTerm is (next is zero):

$searchTerm = $_POST['searchterm'];
$next = 0;

you've submitted the search-term "PHP", the query runs and outputs the first results and the next-link. This link should look like this now:

<a href="search.php?searchterm=PHP&next=2">next</a>

Just generate it dynamically:

<a href="search.php?searchterm=<?=$searchterm?>&next=<?=$next?>">next</a>

now you're in the search.php again. the only thing that has changed is that the search term is not delivered by POST like the first time but by GET. So you have to change your code to:

if( isset($_GET['searchterm']) )
{
	$searchTerm = $_GET['searchterm'];
}
else
{
	$searchTerm = $_POST['searchterm'];
}

if( isset($_GET['next']) )
{
	$next = $_GET['next'];
}
else
{
	$next = 0;
}

The query stays the same.
Hope that helps...

AlGale

Wow - clearly you spent some time on that reply, so thanks.

I think most of my script will remain the same, except with the POST and GET changes. I need to change the link as you say, but I always get confused with " and '

i.e., my script is already:

echo "« <a href='Laptops2.php?page=".($page-1)."' class=main>Previous" . $space . $pagelimit . "</a>" . $space . $space . "";

And I need to insert:

searchterm=<?=$searchterm>

from your line:

trexx

no problem... i'm just a fast typer 🆒

the difference between quote and double-quote in PHP is quite simple: strings in double quotes will be parsed for variables, strings in single quotes won't.

$a = 5;
echo "gimme $a!";
echo 'gimme $a';

the first echo would output "gimme 5!" and the second one "gimme $a".

anyway. you shouldn't replace double quotes with single quotes in HTML code just because it's convenient to do so. the HTML specification requires the double-quotes, even if most of the current browser are able to show the document right without them.
You should instead escape double quotes in double quoted strings:

echo "<a href=\"test.php?id={$a}\">test</a>";

or use HTML code with embedded PHP

?>
<a href="test.php?id=<?=$a?>">test</a>
<?php

both will output the same. it depends on the situation when to use which syntax.

your link should look like this after all:

?>
<a href="Laptops2.php?page=<?=($page-1)?>&searchterm=<?=$searchterm?>" class="main">Previous <?=$pagelimit?></a>
<?php

AlGale

That code works great. Thank you.

Thanks also for the explanation. I`m sure other people will also benefit - cheers!