Editing Fields with a Multiple Selection List

variantstudios

I need help with a control panel I'm trying to build that has fields that use multiple list section boxes.

I have figured out how to add the multiple sections to a field in the database
For example:

id: 1
multiple_field: test1, test2, test8

id: 2
multiple_field: test2, test4

My problem is to figure out to create pages that edit these records. I need to be able to pull the string back into the multiple section box and represent the selections in the multiple section box, so I can view the current sections so I can edit the multiple sections.

Norman_Graham

Hi Variantstudios

Now I'm not the brightest kid on the block, but I predict you'll need to explain this one in a little more detail if you want to get help. What string? What multiple section box? What kind of data are you talking about?

But perhaps I'm simply even less intelligent than I suspected.

Norman

variantstudios

Ok, I'll try to explain this a little better.
Here is an example of the data I'm using:

field: multiple_field
value: test1,test2

And now I have an update page that has a Form's list (multiple select).

Multiple Select List Static Values:
test1 (selected)
test2 (selected)
test3 (selected)
test4

Now I need to explode the array values from multiple_field, so it will select the values in the array.

Norman_Graham

Hi Variantstudios

While there my be situations in which multiple values have to go into a single DB field, I would strongly advise against it. One field, one value - if at all possible. Having more than one value in the field makes the data highly prone to syntax errors. It also - and more importantly - precludes certain types of SELECT statements which you might actually find useful and want to use. And it's horribly messy ...

Now, if you had each of the values test1, test2 etc in separate fields, banging them into an array would be no problem at all. As it is, querying them from your DB just gives you a horrible big string. Making that into an array would require several operations.

Can you see your way to restructuring your DB?

Norm