Need app to calculate variables

rocket123

Hello,

I need a simple app to calculate different packages. I basically have different variables and the user will choose different values via drop down, radio, etc.. they then will click submit and the app will show the final result, or "package" for this projects purposes.

can i just use a simple calculator script for this? for example, it just a matter of this:

variable a + variable e + variable f = Package B

I hope this makes sense. if someone cold give me a link to a script that would help. I'm sure there are pre-made scripts out there, i just did not know what term to search for.

Many Thanks

dagon

It's unlikely to be anything pre-made for something so vague, but it should be a dodle to write, why don't you start and post again when you have a specific issue. Or just hire someone.

rocket123

I guess you haven't been on many php sites. this is a basic calculator function and there are pre-made scripts. i'm just looking for the best option. thanks for the unhelpful reply.

NogDog

I'm afraid I don't understand where the problem is. If you have 3 variables, just add them together:

$packageTotal = $_POST['a'] + $_POST['b'] + $_POST['c'];

If there is something more to the problem, then we'll need more of an explanation.

rocket123

say i have 3 questions for the user.

the user chooses one variable per question.

each combination of variables will give a different recommended package for the user after submission.

Ques. 1 = choice a
Ques. 2 = choice c
Ques. 3 = choice b

We recommend : Package A based on your choices.

its not an add and subtract, but based on combinations.

NogDog

It depends on whether or not there is some underlying formula that can be applied to the selections, or if it's simply to be some sort of arbitrary result for each combination. For the latter, it might be done with a switch():

$choice = $_POST['Q1'] . $_POST['Q2'] . $_POST['Q3'];
switch($choice)
{
   case 'aaa':
      $result = 'Package 1';
      break;
   case 'aab': // these two result in same package
   case 'aac':
      $result = 'Package 2';
      break;
   case 'aba':
      $result = 'Package 3';
      break;
   case 'abb':
      $result = 'Package 4';
      break;
// etc....
   default:
      $result = 'error code or default package';
}

rocket123

Thanks a lot for the help. Still learning the ropes on PHP.

So this script would reside in an external file? I'm not sure if it would be best to use drop downs or something like a radio or check box for the variable selection.

So just call the external script in the form?

NogDog

It all depends on what you want to do and how you want the user interface to work. If you want a PHP-based solution, then something has to communicate with the server where your PHP script would run. The simplest way to do that would be to have the HTML form reference that PHP file as its "action" attribute.

Another option would be to put it all into JavaScript in the HTML page and handle it all on the client, realizing that some very small percentage of your users may be browsing with JS turned off (in which case you may still need the server-side PHP script as a fall-back option). There is also the "AJAX" option which is sort of a combination of both of the above (with the same caveat concerning users with JS disabled).

rocket123

Using the php file as the action is fine. this will be a basic function.

I just want a nice clean form where users choose the options. i think the project calls for just maybe 3 or 4 questions/selections.

Furthermore, exactly what would one of my drop downs, radios, etc. look like in regard to integrating the variables indicated in the php script? I hope i asked that correctly.