php server side validation of check boxes

[iloveyou]

I don't expect anyone to do this for me but if you could at least point me in the right direction that will be a big help.

Please select between 1 and 3 hobbies from the list below:<br/>
      <input type="checkbox" name="hobbies[]" id="cbx1" value="stamp" /><label for="cbx1">Stamp Collecting</label> <br/>
      <input type="checkbox" name="hobbies[]" id="cbx2" value="movies" /><label for="cbx2">Movies</label> <br/>
      <input type="checkbox" name="hobbies[]" id="cbx3" value="golf" /><label for="cbx3">Golf</label> <br/>
      <input type="checkbox" name="hobbies[]" id="cbx4" value="bush" /><label for="cbx4">Bush Walking</label> <br/>
      <input type="checkbox" name="hobbies[]" id="cbx5" value="read" /><label for="cbx5">Reading</label> <br/>
      <input type="checkbox" name="hobbies[]" id="cbx6" value="music" /><label for="cbx6">Music</label> <br/>
      <input type="checkbox" name="hobbies[]" id="cbx7" value="other" /><label for="cbx7">Other</label> <input type="text" name="other" /><br/>

<?php
echo 'no clue to what im doing';
?>

the checkboxes must only have 1-3 of them checked.
so i figured something like

$x = amount of check boxes checked
if ( $x > 3 ) {
echo 'to many';
} else if ($x < 1) {
echo 'not enough';
}

but the problem is im stuck =\

ALSO another problem:

When i submit the page for it to be validated, all the text boxes are emptied and the above check boxes are unchecked (the page refreshes itself or something), is there a way to keep the information on the page without losing it after pressing submit?

[dagon]

$x=count($_POST['hobbies']);

[iloveyou]

dagon;10913775 wrote:

$x=count($_POST['hobbies']);

worked like a charm thanks!

still the problem of the page losing all contents after i submit it.
and is there a way to make it not execute all the php code until the submit button has been pressed? because i open the page and its printed out some error messages that the user hasn't even had a chance to correct :\

[dagon]

you can repopulate the form by setting the form elements value

you can add a check to see if the form is submitted before processing the particular php

[iloveyou]

dagon;10913777 wrote:

you can repopulate the form by setting the form elements value

you can add a check to see if the form is submitted before processing the particular php

i managed to get the value working for the first part of my page (which is two text boxes) by setting value ='$_POST["name"]' but as for the checkboxes i couldn't get it working :\ and how would i implement the check?

edit:
so far i got this

if(isset($_POST['hobbies'])){ echo 'checked';}

but i need it to print out the message checked is the last option is selected only.