[RESOLVED] MAIL - Can I do this?

dniezby

I'm designing an email form processor that loads variable data from a flash form.

I'm trying to clean up the php file so it's not to cluttered.

I want the mail recipient to receive an visually appealing HTML message, so I've created an html file with the format.

Can I bring this file in as an include() ? If so how? I was thinking that it would be possible if I could somehow assign a variable to the included file...

EG:
Include ("messageHTML.php");

$messageHMTL = include("messageHTML.php");

bradgrafelman

dniezby wrote:
so I've created an html file with the format.

If it's an HTML file, why does it have the .php file extension? Did you also include PHP (such as variables) ? If so, I would recommend you change your "messageHTML.php" file to something like this:

<?php

return <<<END_OF_HTML
<p>Your e-mail source here... blah blah</p>
<p>You can still use a {$variable}!</p>
END_OF_HTML;

?>

In this manner, yes, you can simply use the example code you provided.

Mythotical

EDIT: Brad answered it better.

bradgrafelman

Also, forgot to add, if HTML message does not use PHP at all, then there's no need to have a .php extension or use a function such as [man]include/man to parse it -- just use [man]file_get_contents/man.

dniezby

bradgrafelman wrote:
If it's an HTML file, why does it have the .php file extension? Did you also include PHP (such as variables) ? If so, I would recommend you change your "messageHTML.php" file to something like this:
<?php

return <<<END_OF_HTML
<p>Your e-mail source here... blah blah</p>
<p>You can still use a {$variable}!</p>
END_OF_HTML;

?>
In this manner, yes, you can simply use the example code you provided.

I'm sorry. Yes, the HTML file does contain variable data in it.

such as

Name: <?php $fullname ?>

Which example code? This one?
$messagevariable = include ("meesageHTML.php");

bradgrafelman

Yes, if you changed all of the data in the .php to be [man]return[/man]ed, you can assign the contents of the returned data to a variable with that code. For more information about this behavior, see Example 16-9 on the include() manual page located here.

Also, I hope you meant <?php echo $fullname; ?> (with or without the semicolon... though in regards to best coding standards/practices, I'm sure I should recommend you have the semicolon).

dniezby

I just realized.
If I use the method I mentioned

Client Name: <?php echo $variable ?>

Shouldn't I save the file as an HTML file and include it as an html file?

bradgrafelman

What "method you mentioned" ? If you're talking about the "$var = include()" method, then no, you have to save the file as .php and use the return method I described.

dniezby

Ok, I'm not familiar with that return method. That's the first time I've ever seen it. But let me see if I understand it.

<?php
return <<END_OF_HTML

Then ALL of the html, it's tables etc between the return END_OF_HTML tags.
Any variables that need to get filled in with the user data are formatted like {$variable}

Username: {$username}

END_OF_HTML;
?>

bradgrafelman

Yup, that's it. What do you mean you're not familiar with that return method? If you mean the "END_OF_HTML" bit, all I did was use the heredoc syntax.

dniezby

So using <<<

I will not have to do the <?php echo $variable ?> stuff. Just the {$variable} where the data is to be inserted?

Sorry, I know this must be annoying....This is the first time I've tried to do anything like this...

dniezby

Ok, I did all that you've taught me and the included file does work. The {$variable} data is going in where it needs to go. HOWEVER, the message that I receive is in HTML code. It's not being translated to the visual version.

Do I have to format my mail statement differently or do you think it's something in my html section of the HEREDOC.

I'm using this to process the messages and send to the recipient.

mail ("$recipient","$subject", "$message", "FROM:$email_addy") ;

maxsslade

http://www.phpfreaks.com/quickcode/easy-code-to-send-HTML-emails-via-PHP/545.php

Good luck!

Weedpacket

dniezby wrote:
Do I have to format my mail statement differently or do you think it's something in my html section of the HEREDOC.

There is an example of HTML email and what needs to be sent as part of it on the mail() manual page.

dniezby

I figured out the problem.

I needed to add $headers to the mail() statement
Specifically, $headers .= "Content-type: text/html\r\n";
Once I put this in, the message was sent complete in all it's visually appealing HTML glory.

Thanks for all the help on this issue...All of you.