[RESOLVED] Checkboxes - Storing data

[jjfletch]

Hi there,

I have a form that uses checkboxes, but I'm having a problem storing the data in MySQL.

First, I'm looking up values in a table to create the checkboxes:

function fn_1 () 
{ 
      echo "QUESTION_ONE";
           $query = "SELECT DISTINCT(fn_1) FROM choices where fn_1!=''";
           $result = mysql_query ($query); 
           while ($row = mysql_fetch_array ($result, MYSQL_ASSOC)) {
              echo "<dt><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"fn_set_1[]\" value=\"{$row['fn_1']}\">{$row['fn_1']}<br />\n";
           }
      echo "<p>";
} 

Then, I try this:

        if (isset($_POST['fn_set_1'])) {
                $FN1=implode(',',$_POST['fn_set_1']);   

        } else {
                $FN1=''; 
        }

But, when I try to insert the data into MySQL, it inserts the blank (even when the boxes are checked).

Can someone help out here?

[dp777]

print out your post array and see what your submission looks like.

print_r($_POST);

If you see your checkbox info in the post then you know the problem lies some where in shoving it into the database, and if it isn't in the POST array then you know the problem lies in that half.

My guess is that it is always falling into your else clause $FN1 = ''; (which can be verified by the above test). If that is the case view the website source and see what what the values of the checkbox are set to.

Post back with your results and we can see if we can narrow it down further for you.

[jjfletch]

Well, it doesn't appear to do anything, although I am getting an Undefined Index error. Any suggestions?

[wreed]

You might want to make that FN field NULL in Mysql then check if field is not null...

$query = "SELECT DISTINCT(fn_1) FROM choices where fn_1 is NOT NULL"; 

Without seeing other code not sure how your post is working. What does the form page look like that getting the post from? Make sure those fields are named right and so is the case of the field.

[jjfletch]

Hi there,

The field is null, and everything looks named correctly, etc.

Here's the database:

fn_1                | varchar(255) | YES  |     | NULL    | 

Here's the html code:

<input type="checkbox" id="fn_set_1[]" value="blue">Blue<br />
<input type="checkbox" id="fn_set_1[]" value="orange">orange<br />
<input type="checkbox" id="fn_set_1[]" value="aqua-marine">aqua-marine<br />
<input type="checkbox" id="fn_set_1[]" value="violet">violet<br />
<input type="checkbox" id="fn_set_1[]" value="green">green<br />
<input type="checkbox" id="fn_set_1[]" value="cyan">cyan<br />
<input type="checkbox" id="fn_set_1[]" value="red">red<br />
<input type="checkbox" id="fn_set_1[]" value="black">black<br />
<input type="checkbox" id="fn_set_1[]" value="white">white<br />

And the code to validate:

        if (isset($_POST['fn_set_1'])) {
                $FN1=implode(',',$_POST['fn_set_1']);
        } else { 
                $FN1=''; 
        } 

Any suggestions/insights?

[jjfletch]

BTW...

I tried print_r($_POST); to see what's set and what's not.

Nothing is printed for that particular field, even when the boxes are checked. It will print out everything else that's selected on the form though.

I double checked the output html code and it prints correctly. I even typed it manually just to make sure.

I tried an "Echo $FN1" to see what it's set to, but nothing prints.

I echoed the INSERT query to make sure it's set right. It works fine. In fact, everything else is successfully being inserted into the database.

I'm pretty sure that it's echoing '', as stated in my else statement, but I can't figure out why. The checkboxes are checked, the values look correct.... I'm going insane!

Any suggestions?

Thanks, your help is greatly appreciated!

[wreed]

maybe the checkbox field cannot have [] in the name? Just throwing a shot out from the dark...I dont totally get your issue...the checkboxes are not checking right?

[jjfletch]

Ah, no, I figured it out. All I had to do was change "id" to "name" and it worked fine. Thanks for helping though! I really appreciate it.

[wreed]

oh yea that would do the trick... I have been there before 🙂