[Resolved] format/validation of numbers (spaces, commas, dots)

jonki

Hi - I was wondering if anyone could help me with a "number" problem.

I have written a file which allows the online user to insert his details into a database but unfortunately in the "number fields" I have problems if a space (or comma or dot) is inserted in the number they are inputting. My database (MySQL) stores only the digits before the space/comma/dot.

Has anyone written any code (or know where some exists) to get around this?

Thanks a lot.

Jon

Moonglobe

and WHY would there be a space in a number field?

jonki

for example for a price - some wants to put 20000€ and they write 20 000, or 20,000 or 20.000
or for telephone numbers 876 789 76654

The database only stores the first digits before the space.

How do I control this?

Thanks

Jon

Moonglobe

[man]str_replace/man, [man]strtr/man

paulnaj

First of all ... you shouldn't let someone enter something wrong in the database at all.

If an error is found, you should tell the user why it's wrong and let them try again. Shouldn't try to fix it yourself.

Having said that,

If ...

1) I am assuming the number you are talking about is an INT field in the mysql table.
2) $number contains the value the user posted

then ...

$number = str_replace(' ', '', $number);
$number = str_replace(',', '', $number);
$number = str_replace('.', '', $number);

... will do the trick.

There are other, more slick methods, using regex's, but this is easier to understand.

jonki

Excellent - thanks for your help - but how do I stop them from putting it in wrong in the first place?

paulnaj

if(!is_int($number)){
die('Only digits please ... please try again');
}

jonki

Thanks a lot - I thought it was going to be a lot more complicated.
Cheers

paulnaj

You're welcome.