Best way to get back to search results page?

iltdev

Hi,

I have a form that returns search results from a number of search parameters.
Each row has a link to a details page that selects the relevant info based on the id passed.

What is the best method to return from the details page to the results page, keeping the search results from last time?

I suppose I could pass all the parameters to the details page and then back again to the search page, but this is messy and requires even more validation/ protection against injection.

An alternative is to use $_SERVER['referer_url'] but I know if can be hit and miss.

I notice that ebay dont pass the search parameters to the details page via the URL. However the link back to search results on the details page has the search parameters in there. Session variable perhaps? Such as this:
http://www.dezinerfolio.com/2008/01/09/back-to-previous-page-php

halojoy

You could cache the search result page.
That is you save a copy of the page, give it one #number
and use the #number to make a 'Go Back' link in the details page.

You take the copy of the result page, before it is displayed first time.
by using output buffer.
http://php.net/manual/en/function.ob-start.php

Result page

<?php

//prepare search result for display
//setup variables etc


ob_start(); //start output buffer
//
// here build the results page using echo
//
$cached_search = ob_get_clean(); //get and end output buffer


// save cached search page into a numbered temp file for Go Back
$pagename = 'search_page_number.php';
file_put_contents($pagename, $cached_search);

//display the search page here for first time
echo $cached_search;

exit();

?>

iltdev

Thanks for the reply.

Would this solution be okay for potentially hundreds of queries per hour?

I wonder what method eBay use? Not that they would ever share their secrets lol!

iltdev

halojoy;10942697 wrote:
You could cache the search result page.
That is you save a copy of the page, give it one #number
and use the #number to make a 'Go Back' link in the details page.

You take the copy of the result page, before it is displayed first time.
by using output buffer.
http://php.net/manual/en/function.ob-start.php

Result page
<?php

//prepare search result for display
//setup variables etc


ob_start(); //start output buffer
//
// here build the results page using echo
//
$cached_search = ob_get_clean(); //get and end output buffer


// save cached search page into a numbered temp file for Go Back
$pagename = 'search_page_number.php';
file_put_contents($pagename, $cached_search);

//display the search page here for first time
echo $cached_search;

exit();

?>

Thanks for this.
Can I ask when goes on the detail.php page i.e. the code on the back link?
I take it 'search_page_number.php is stored on the server?

iltdev

iltdev;10942709 wrote:
Thanks for this.
Can I ask when goes on the detail.php page i.e. the code on the back link?

I meant to say what goes on the detail.php page i.e. the code on the back link?