Form processing

[chrima]

Hi all,
Can anyone tell me if what i am doing is correct?
I have three forms. The first form (cart_1.php) receives the clients name, email etc. When submitted the data gets inserted into a mySQL database. The INSERT statement to do this is at the top of the cart_2.php script. If all data is valid it then shows the form for cart_2.php. This form collects the clients shipping details.
When the submit button is clicked on this form the data gets posted to cart_3.php
Unlike cart_1.php i do not want the data inserted into a database just yet. I want to be able to wait until the client fills in and submits the car_3.php form then also send along the data from the cart_2.php form.
My question is what is the best way to achieve this? Do i use a session?
Any advice most appreciated.

Cheers
chrima

[dalecosp]

I'd put the whole darn thing in the SESSION array and not write to the db until I knew he was gonna click "BUY!" with a valid CCard..... 🙂

[chrima]

Thanks for the reply dalecosp.

Can you give me an example of how to start the session array. If i was sending the form from cart_1.php to cart_2.php how do i put this in a session array? Do i start the session in cart_1.php

Cheers,
chrima

[FrozNic]

LOL, i like dales idea.. here's a thought...

Well if you save an arra yin the $_SESSION array it'll be passed frm page to page.

$_SESSION['var'] = array(1, 2, 3, 4);

Will make $_SESSION['var'] an array.

You can also pass arrays to scripts via a form, like so:

<form action="script.php" method="post">
<input type="radio" name="array[]">
<input type="radio" name="array[]">
<input type="radio" name="array[]">
<input type="radio" name="array[]">
</form>

Now all the values from all of the radio buttons would be available in

$_POST['array']

Which is an array in itself.

hope that kinda helpled

[dalecosp]

Hi again,

Cart1 script is basically a form that posts to cart 2 script.

Cart 2 receives variables (e.g. $name=$POST['name']😉 and validates via ereg() or somesuch. If the vars seem valid, then:

$_SESSION['name']=$name;

and so on.

For the cart itself, you can create an array, (SKU, quantity, price, etc.) and then assign it to

$_SESSION['cart']=$myarray;

or whatever. You'd then calculate with these variables. If you're interested in OOP, there are some classes that make it even easier, I think. How easy is it really? Well, it's quite a bit easier the second time around.... 🙂

FWIW, there are some free carts out there. FishCart looks impressive and is probably a premier Open Source package, but I found the one in the SAM'S book "PHP and MySQL Web Development" to be easier to take in at first. They even include entire projects on CD that you can hack at for your first try...

HTH,