how to validate multiple select box in php

[thread_PHP]

how to validate multiple options select box in php.
I have to take 2 or 3 or 5 or 20 values(total is 20) and to be inserted in database and to retrieve the same and i need to check validation for the same if any values are not selected? it should throw an error like that.....

for example this is a normal select box

if($_POST['pid']=='0')
	{
			$error=true;
			$errors['pid'][]='Please Select <b>Name </b>.';
	}

[gammaster]

Hi!
Maybee your form look like this:

<form action="" method="post">
<select name="pid[]" multiple>
<option value="name1">Name 1</option>
<option value="name2">Name 2</option>
...
...
</select>
<input type="submit" value="SUBMIT">
</form>

This is just examples on ways to access and manipulate the select element:

// Take a look at the $_POST array when you are testing.
echo '<pre>';
print_r($_POST);
echo '</pre>';

if(!isset($_POST['pid'])) {
   $error = 'You have to select some stuff.....';
   }
else {
   // Count selected.
   $numbSelected  = sizeof($_POST['pid']);
   $minimumSelected = 2;// or 3 or 5 or 20.

   if($numbSelected < $minimumSelected) {
      $error = 'You have to select minimum '.$minimumSelected.' names.';
      }

   $allNames = array_values($_POST['pid']);

   if(!in_array('name1', $allNames)) {
      $error = 'You have to select Name 1....';
      }
   else if(!in_array('name2', $allNames)) {
      $error = 'You have to select Name 2....';
      }

   $namePattern = '/^[a-z-A-Z \.]+$/';
   $error = '';

   forach($allNames as $value) {
      if(!preg_match($namePattern, $value)) {
         $error.= '...';
         }
      }
   }

I hope this would give you some help.

[thread_PHP]

hi gammaster

Thanks for your reply

i am getting following error in this line

forach($allNames as $value) {
syntax error, unexpected T_AS in C:\Apache\Apache2\htdocs\test\testformpage.php on line 46

[gammaster]

It`s a typo. 'forach' should be 'foreach'

[thread_PHP]

thank u

[thread_PHP]

hi when i have to retrieve the values from the $allNames array in the query i need to call the value $allNames[0] instead of $fieldname in the query select * from sometable where id=$allNames[0]; this is giving me correct output otherwise i am getting Array in the query how to do this