Form Processing

cloodo

Would someone please help..

I have a form embeded in a html page. The form comprises of 3 inputs (2 <select>, and a submit button). The action is set to a php page.

What I am trying to achieve:

I would like to be able to get the target page (php page) to process the form variables in 'if.. else' statements and direct the visitor to the relevant page which contains the information that has answers for their queries.

Example:

variable1=="small" (entered from a <select> input)
Variable2=="truck" (entered from a <select> input)

this info is submitted to process.php

I would like 'process.php' to combine the 2 variables and send the visitor to a page called: small_trucks.htm or small_trcuks.php (either extension will do).

Note that the final pages the visitor to be directed to are unique pages and need to be displayed in the form of pages and not IFrames.

If you are familiar with this, would you kindly create a code for the above example..? and would you also be able to tell me where to insert that code in the php page..?

Hope someone out there that can help because I am at the edge of dumping this whole website idea just because of this hurdle... :mad: :mad: :mad:

Thanks all.

Ludichrist

This would the the page your form calls.

<?
$nextPage = $_POST['select1'] . "_" . $_POST['select2'] . ".html";
header("Location: " . $nextPage);
exit;
?>

Houdini

A HTML form with two selects that uses a process.php

<html>

   <head> 
      <title>Vehicle Chooser</title>
   </head>

   <body bgcolor="#FFFFFF" text="#000000" link="#0000FF" vlink="#800080" alink="#FF0000">
	<form action='process.php' method ='post'>
	<select name='vehicle'>
		<option name='vehicle' value='car'>Car</option>
		<option value='suv'>SUV</option>
		<option value='truck'>Truck</option>
	</select>
	<select name='size'>
		<option value ='small'>Small</option>
		<option value='medium'>Medium</option>
		<option value='large'>Large</option>
	</select>
	<input type= 'submit' value='Select'>
	</form>

   </body>
</html>

process.php

<?php 
echo $_POST['vehicle']."_".$_POST['size'];
 ?>

laserlight

I dont want to be too picky about this, but be aware that:

Ludichrist's code snippet is just a simple example for you to learn from. You should validate the incoming variables, perhaps by checking if the values are valid based on an array. If not, you are exposing yourself to a potential code injection vulnerability.
If you send a Location header, it should be with an absolute URI.

cloodo

Thank you Ludichrist,

Would you be able to clarify the following please?

Method should be POST...?
Since the final distanation pages are unique independent pages, do we repeat the url of each page in both ".html" and ("location: ")?
Can this code go in the body of the php page?

Thanks again.

Ludichrist

The page with your form:

Houdini wrote:

<html>

   <head> 
      <title>Vehicle Chooser</title>
   </head>

   <body bgcolor="#FFFFFF" text="#000000" link="#0000FF" vlink="#800080" alink="#FF0000">
	<form action='process.php' method ='post'>
	<select name='vehicle'>
		<option name='vehicle' value='car'>Car</option>
		<option value='suv'>SUV</option>
		<option value='truck'>Truck</option>
	</select>
	<select name='size'>
		<option value ='small'>Small</option>
		<option value='medium'>Medium</option>
		<option value='large'>Large</option>
	</select>
	<input type= 'submit' value='Select'>
	</form>

   </body>
</html>

The process.php page (with laserlight's recommendation):

<?
if(!empty($_POST['vehicle']) && !empty($_POST['size'])){
    $nextPage = $_POST['vehicle'] . "_" . $_POST['size'] . ".html";
    header("Location: " . $nextPage);
    exit;
}
?>

cloodo

Cheers Houdini..

Do we need to include the url of the final distantation page anywhere in that 'php code'?.. I am using a website builder to create the form, so no problems there, it's only the processing stage that has me spinning in my seat.

Thanks again.

Ludichrist

The php script builds the name of the html page you're trying to get to.

$nextPage = $_POST['vehicle'] . "_" . $_POST['size'] . ".html";

Then the header command tells the browser to go there.

header("Location: " . $nextPage);

cloodo

Ludichrist..

Understood.. I'll give it a go and update you shortly.

Cheers mate..

If this works, I'll send you a stuffed Kangaroo.

Ludichrist

I look forward to it 😃

cloodo

BINGO

Thank you Ludichrist.. You have saved the day which has just started here anyway..

(Where do I post the Roo to?) 🙂)

(Thanks to Houdini and Laserlight too).

Ludichrist

glad we could help 🙂