Checking forms using PHP or Javascript?

[look4game]

Which way do you think it is better? To check the data on forms on the client, using javascript, ou on server, using php? I have this doubt, since I´m kinda new to Javascript, and used to check using PHP.

Thank You.

[bbreslauer]

I've always gone with php, since hypothetically, someone could download the page, change the javascript, then use their own version to send bad data. I'm sure there are ways to get around this, but I haven't looked into them.

[thorpe]

i usually use both. javascript has the advantage of giving a client a more instant response, but as bbreslauer said it can also be worked around so checking again on the server is a must. of course now that the httprequest object has become allot more common, ajax would also make a great alternative. theres a simple ajax tutorial here.

[Weedpacket]

thorpe pretty much sums it up: use both. Using Javascript to check what can be checked clientside is much faster and lightens load on your server. And for those who can't or won't or avoid Javascript validation, use PHP to check everything again.

I don't know about Ajax being an alternative: it still requires Javascript 🙂 as well as client-server interaction - kinda the worst of both worlds when it comes to form validation.