Form variables not recognized

[jlu]

Hi I have just installed Apache 1.3.33 and PHP 4.3.9 using the installer. OS is Windows XP pro.
Things seem to work if I am not doing form processing.
When I do form processing, I found it does not create the form variables
therefore I get the error message saying those variables are not defined.

For example if I have
<FORM METHOD=POST ACTION="second.php">
<INPUT TYPE="text" NAME="thename">
<INPUT TYPE="submit" value="Submit">
</FORM>

In second.php I have
<?php if (!$thename) { ?>
...

The error message will say thename variable is not defined.

[jazz_snob]

Your dilemma is 1st one addressed in the FAQ

[jlu]

Yes, that worked for some Form variables, but not all.
I have set the register_global to On just to make some examples
work.

However, I have some files where the variable is being used first before the actual Form is submitted. Those variables are still flagged as undefined variable error.

Example: Assume file is called abc.php

<?php
if (!$shoesize) {
?>
<FORM METHOD=POST ACTION="abc.php">
<INPUT TYPE="text" NAME="shoesize">
<INPUT TYPE="submit" value="Go">
</FORM>

<? } else { ?>
Size is <?=$shoesize ?>

<? } ?>

Thank you very much.

[wilsonodk]

Try...

<?php
if (!isset($shoesize)) {
    // Form code here
} else {
    // Output code here
}
?>

But, you really should be using...

<?php
if (!isset($_POST['shoesize'])) {
    // Form code here
} else {
    // Output code here
}
?>

It's not that much harder to show examples, and you'll have an easier time later debugging.

[jlu]

Thanks for the advice.

Somebody told me that the code I pasted worked
for them as is. Even though $shoesize has never been initialized.

Does that mean isset is something new in this version of PHP?
Or are there more new requirements for un-initialized variables besides the register_global issue?

Thanks.

[TheDefender]

No, it just means their error reporting is turned off...