Passing Form Data and Entering into DB

[brendan2b]

Here is my code for 3 separate pages. It involves taking in user information for a company and then putting it int o their database. There is only one problem. On the first page I collect the information. On the second page I have the information displayed back to the viewer asking them if the information is correct please click the next button. On the third page I want it to then put the information that is correct off the second page into the Database. Every page works, its just it puts an empty row into my database, which means that the information I am trying to put in is not really there. Here is the code for the 3 pages.

First Page Code: Basic Form

Fields:
First Name
Last Name
Email
etc....

Second Page (taking in the form informatino and displaying it so the user can go back and make any changes if necessary). On this page I displayed the information into a table for the user to see, that is why i created the variables.:

if (!get_magic_quotes_gpc()) {
$POST['username'] = addslashes($POST['username']);
}
$usercheck = $POST['username'];
$check = mysql_query("SELECT username FROM ld_user_information WHERE username = '$usercheck'") or die(mysql_error());
$check2 = mysql_num_rows($check);
$email = $REQUEST['email'];
//if the name exists it gives an error
if ($check2 != 0)
{
die('Sorry the username '.$POST['username'].' is already in use. Please try another one.');
}
else{
// this makes sure both passwords entered match
if ($POST['password'] != $POST['confirm_password'])
{
die('Your passwords did not match.');
}
else
{
$firstname = $REQUEST['firstname'];
$lastname = $REQUEST['lastname'];
$email = $REQUEST['email'];
$company = $REQUEST['company'];
$number = $REQUEST['number'];
$address = $REQUEST['address'];
$city = $REQUEST['city'];
$state = $REQUEST['state'];
$zipcode = $REQUEST['zipcode'];
$country = $REQUEST['country'];
$username = $REQUEST['username'];
$password = $_REQUEST['password'];

Third Page Code:

(I am essentially trying to take the information displayed on page 2 from the variables requesting the form data and inserting that into the DB, so passing the information over 2 pages):

I am not sure how to code the third page.

Much help with the correct way to pass the data would be great. Thanks

[Piranha]

Basically there are two ways to solve this problem. The first is that your second page sets the information in SESSION variables that you can use in the third page:

// Second page
$_SESSION['firstname'] = $_POST['firstname'];

// Third page
$firstname = $_SESSION['firstname'];

The other way is to post the information as hidden variables from the second page and use it the same way on the third page:

<form method="post" action="p3.php">
<input type="hidden" name="firstname" value="<?php echo $_POST['firstname']; ?>">
<input type="submit">
</form>

Both ways have advantages and disadvantages. A few of the things to consider:
1. The first way does not allow tampering with the values. But if you have two windows opened you can first go to the second page in one window, then if you do the same with the second window the information are changed in the session-variables. They are the same for all window for one client.
2. The second way allows tempering with all the variables, you have to make sure this is not done.

By the way, use $POST, $GET and the other ways to retrieve variables rather than $_REQUEST. It is better programming and avoids mistakes.

[brendan2b]

Thanks Piranha