[Resolved] $_post

[MichaelWorks]

When I check the $POST superglobal variable in the action script file after form Submit, I see that $POST isset but its count is zero.

The idea comes from the example "Building Web Forums" in the book "PHP and MySQL Web Development". The code for the form is generated in a function script file.

I had trouble getting $_SESSION to work; it works nicely after I found the correct placement of session_start(); in "each" script file.

I'm using PHP 4.3.44. I've reviewed several threads on the web. I get the impression that populating $_POST is rather straight forward.

Thanks for your Help.

This is the function file which generates the form:

<?
//  display_fns.php
$table_width = "323";

function display_name_address_form()
{
	global $table_width;
	$table_width = '';
	$myname = 'Mystery Man';
	$citystate = 'Poulsbo WA';
	$npa = '';
	$nxx = '';
	$line = '';
	$timetocall = '';
	$emailaddr = '';
?>
	<FORM action="store_name_entry.php" method="post" enctype="text/plain">
	<TABLE cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 align=center width=<?=$table_width?>>
		<TR>
		  <TD width="142" align=left>Your Name:
		  </TD>
		  <TD width="154" align=right>
		  <INPUT type="text" name="myname" value="<? echo htmlspecialchars($myname); ?>"
		  	size=30 maxLength=72 >
		  </TD>
		  <TD width="5">&nbsp;</TD>
		</TR>
		<TR>
		  <TD align=left>Your City &amp; State
		  </TD>
		  <TD align=right>
		  <INPUT type="text" name="citystate" value="<? echo htmlspecialchars($citystate); ?>"
		  	length=30 maxLength=72 >
		  </TD>
		  <TD width="5">&nbsp;</TD>
		</TR>
		<TR>
		  <TD align=left>Telephone&nbsp;Number
		  </TD>
		  <TD align=right>
		  (<INPUT type="text" name="npa" value="<?=$npa?>"
		    size=3 maxLength=5 />)
		  <INPUT type="text" name="nxx" value="<?=$nxx?>"
		    size=3 maxLength=5 />
		  - <INPUT type="text" name="line" value="<?=$line?>"
		  	size=4 maxLength=6 />
		  </TD>
		  <TD width="5">&nbsp;</TD>
		</TR>
		<TR>
		  <TD align=left>Best Time to Call
		  </TD>
		  <TD align=right>
		  <INPUT type="text" name="timetocall" value="<?=$timetocall?>"
		   size=12 maxLength=72 />
		  </TD>
		  <TD width="5">&nbsp;</TD>
		</TR>
		<TR>
		  <TD align=left>E-mail Address
		  </TD>
		  <TD align=right>
		  <INPUT type="text" name="emailaddr" value="<?=$emailaddr?>"
		  size=30 maxLength=72 />
		  </TD>
		  <TD width="5">&nbsp;</TD>
		</TR>
		<TR align=middle><!--onclick="alert('Thank you. Your message has been submitted.');"-->
		  <TD colSpan=3><br>
		     <input type="hidden" name="action" value="submitted" />
			<INPUT type="submit" name="submit" value="Send" /><br>
		  Click here to view our <a href= "javascript:window.open('display_privacy_policy.htm', 'Policy','width=700,height=400,scrollbars=yes');Void();">Privacy Policy.</A></TD>
		</TR>
	</TABLE>
	</FORM>
<?
}
?>

[/code]

[rehfeld]

how are you determing $_POST is set, but empty?

in the script that receives the form, try this to see the data in _POST

<?php

print_r($_POST);

?>

also, make sure your action= is pointing to the correct file

[MichaelWorks]

I determined $POST was set by using the isset function.
I determined $POST was empty by two methods: I used the count function which returned "0". I also used "foreach" to loop through the $_POST array. It displayed no values.

Thank you for the suggestion to use print_r. I saw it recommended on other postings but didn't quite understand its applicability and power. This returned "Array ( ) " which confirms the "empty".

[tsinka]

Hi,

the superglobal $_POST array always exists even if no data has been posted.

Please post the php.ini or create a little script just containing

<?PHP
phpinfo();
?>

and post the value of variables_order.

Thomas

[MichaelWorks]

Attached is PHPInfo.zip which contains PHPInfo.htm which is copy/pasted from the output of the function. The value of variables_order is EGPCS.

Thank you.

[rehfeld]

try this file

<?php
// test.php

echo $_GET['foo'];


?>

now goto:
test.php?foo=bar

it should output "bar"

tell us if this works.

[MichaelWorks]

Yes, it works. I also have a single file checkbook program which I got some months ago. I have experimented with it using print_r. Both $GET and $POST work as expected. In this application I must be doing something to clobber the variable when I go to the second script file.

I appreciate your suggestions.

[rehfeld]

i just noticed it... remove that enctype= from your form. that should fix it.

the enctype is wrong,
the correct encytype is something like
application/x-www-form-urlencoded or something like that.

but you dont need to specify it, the browser will add the correct enctype by default unless for example, your trying to upload files.

[MichaelWorks]

Yes, you are right. I removed 'enctype="text/plain"' and the process worked fine. Thanks.