[Resolved] Inserting information from one db to another through a form

jonki

Hi,

I have a problem.

What I am trying to acheive is get the information from one database and insert it, with more data into another. I have looked into joining tables but from what I gather this isn't going to help me much. (But maybe I can stand corrected)

I have a database full of cars for sale. Up til now I have mixed private persons and dealers all in together, and I know for dealers with more than one vehícule (ie most) I am repeating information but as this db is never going to be excessivly large I have decided to live with it.

Now what I want to do is to allow the dealer to put in vehicles without having to repeat the same information (eg name, telephone etc) every time so I am creating a db with this information.

All is going well but I have this problem;
The dealer has logged in and I have pulled out his/her relevant information. Now he can insert a car via a form.
This code is in alongside the form.

//all the usual stuff
$data = mysql_fetch_array($result); // get results into $data 

$name = $data[name] ;
$town = $data[town] ;
$telephone = $data[telephone] ;

Now - how do I pass this data onto my next page alongside the details of the vehicle filled in on the form?

Ie - when the user clicks "submit", these variables AND the form variables are passed through.

There must be a very simple way. Sessions maybe? I am not too sure how to use sessions.

Any suggestions?

leatherback

Hi,

--although I formally object to the practice: You are bette rof reworking your database--
Use hidden variables in your form:

Jelle.

jonki

I was hoping it would be that simple.

Can I ask why you object to this method?

Just to check I would write something like this?

and this would give me the variable $town in my next page?

Thanks a million

Jon

leatherback

Hi Jonki,

you got it.. but the wrong way around.. The name would be \"town\" (The \ makes sure it will actually echo the "out, and not see it as a delimiter)
The value then is \"$town\"

I object to it (The database design) because it is really bad database design.
Just imagine what would ahppen if the car dealer would change his fax number. Or would move. You would be stuck with several records to edit details in. Instead you shoul dhave a specific table for dealer details, and just include a dealer ID in the car database.

jonki

Hi cheers - I worked that out just by trying it.

As for the bad database design - I agree with you but unfortunately I already have a big database with over 600 entries and I am also not to sure how to do this.

Maybe when I get a bit better at php I will attempt to separate my original database into two parts, one that deals with the users details and one with the car details which means that linking the databases would be a lot easier.

It is also not too bad because cars are sold in a few weeks so any wrong data wont be on for long.

I really appreciate your help. What I thought was going to take me several weeks infact took me a day.... I must be getting better.

You are from Enschede? Cool place. Echt gezellig.

leatherback

Hi Jonki,

In fact, you could fairly easily write a script to transfer your database into a new database.

Select all records from the original ( select * from table)
loop through (mysql_fetch_array($result))
Check wether in your dealers table there is an entry for that dealer/location/zipp/.. (Select * from dealers where zipp=$row[zipp] and dealername=dealer)
Insert if needed (insert into dealers..)
Get dealer ID number ($dealerID $DealersRow[id])
insert the record i the new table (Insert into NewCars..)

The biggie would be adjusting all your pages to fit the new tables..

.. I am living in Enschede now to do my PhD. I am actually from Gouda. But you are right.. Summer is getting close, and the makert is showing some activity again in the evenings.. You have to love Hoegaarden!

jonki

Hi - thanks a lot for that .. but I'm afraid I got lost after about the 3rd line. I have only been doing php for about 3 months and due to the fact that I am actually a mechanical engineer; if I can't pick it up, I get confused.
I will get round to it when I get a little better.

........ I'm more of a Palmpje and Bitterballen man myself .....