displaying data on clicking link

[linda_thomas]

I would like to build a FAQ database, for my partners bussiness site, but rather than have a long page, would like to output a list of questions, each as a link. When the link is clicked it then would display the answer beneath this output question. Is there a way to do this using php?

Many thanks in advance,
Linda

[NogDog]

I would create a DB table something like:

• faq_id INT AUTOINCREMENT PRIMARY KEY

• faq_question VARCHAR(255)

• faq_answer TEXT

Then you can query it for both the list of questions, and if a question was clicked, display the answer based on the faq_id:

// do DB connection stuff, then...
$sql = "SELECT * FROM faq ORDER BY faq_id";
$result = mysql_query($sql) or die(mysql_error());
while($row = mysql_fetch_assoc($result))
{
  echo "<p><a href='{$_SERVER['PHP_SELF']}?faqID={$row['faq_id']}'>{$row['faq_question']}</a></p>\n";
}
if(isset($_GET['faqID']))
{
  mysql_data_seek($result, 0);
  while($row = mysql_fetch_assoc($result))
  {
    if($_GET['faqID'] == $row['faq_id'])
    {
      echo "<h3>{$row['faq_question']}</h3>\n";
      echo "<p>{$row['faq_answer'}</p>\n";
      break;
    }
  }
}

[linda_thomas]

Hi NogDog

Thanks for replying to my post, you've come to the rescue again! 🙂 I can't get it to work, no errors or anything, it's just that nothing displays! But it's ok because at least I know how to go about it now, so I'll spend a couple hours having a go at it this afternoon.

I thought the only way I was going to be able to do this was to do it with css, but now that I know I can do it using php that's great!

Your a star!

Best wishes,
Linda

[NogDog]

Aw, shucks. :o

[linda_thomas]

NogDog need your assistance if possible!

Ok I've got it to work if I use Javascript with span, but I was wondering if there is a way to edit this into php? As I don't really want to use JavaScript due to the obvious that not all people have it enabled! I've included the code for both below, do you have any ideas?

JavaScript:

<SCRIPT LANGUAGE="JavaScript" TYPE="text/javascript">
<!-- Hide from older browsers

function displayMenu(currentMenu) {

var thisMenu = document.getElementById(currentMenu).style

// If the menu is expanded, contract it
if (thisMenu.display == "block") {
    thisMenu.display = "none"
}
else {
    // If the menu is contracted, expand it
    thisMenu.display = "block"
}
return false
}

// End hiding-->
</SCRIPT>

<STYLE TYPE="text/css">
<!--

.menu {display:none; margin-left:20px;}

-->
</STYLE>

And to create the link i've used:

<?php
//database connection here

$query="SELECT * FROM faq";
$result=mysql_query($query);


$num=mysql_numrows($result);


mysql_close();



$i=0;
while ($i < $num) {

$id=mysql_result($result,$i,"id");
$cat=mysql_result($result,$i,"cat");
$question=mysql_result($result,$i,"question");
$answer=mysql_result($result,$i,"answer");

?>


<a href="" onclick="return displayMenu('<? echo $id; ?>')"><? echo $question; ?></a><br />
<span class="faq" id="<? echo $id; ?>"><? echo $answer; ?><br /><br /></span>



<?php
$i++;
}
?>

I have tried but just keep getting errors!

Many, many thanks in advance as always!

Linda