[RESOLVED] PHP and Javascript mix

[baffled_in_UK]

Hi,

Hope I can explain this correctly.

I am developing a site that processes online orders. At the Dispatch stage the system will update the Order Status, send a email to the customer and then print the Shipping Note.

Here's my current process flow...

1. From their Admin menu the site owner selects the order to view.
2. Order is ready for dispatch so they click a 'submit' button.
3. PHP processes the form :-
   [INDENT]a. Opens a new window with a formatted screen to print the Shipping Note
   b. Update the Order Status
   c. Creates and sends customer email
   d. Goes back to Site owner Admin menu[/INDENT]

In summary I need the Order View window to process b,c,d and have a new window open at a.

My problem is Step a and then being able to carry on to the other steps. I know PHP can't handle the window open and it will probably need to be Javascript. I've looked all over Google and this board and can't see a solution. Is there one or am I kidding myself?

Thanks for any advice.

[bradgrafelman]

baffled_un_UK wrote:

I know PHP can't handle the window open and it will probably need to be Javascript.

Before we talk about solutions to your questions above, let me first ask this... do you know why PHP can't "handle the window open" ? In other words, are you clear on the difference between a server-side language (e.g. PHP) and a client-side language (such as Javascript) and that the behavior you're talking about in 3a above (opening a new window) is strictly client-side?

If so, then I guess I'm slightly confused as to what your actual question is. Are you asking "How do you open a new window?" or perhaps "How do you open a new window in the context described above?"

If not, then we'll want to clear up any confusion there might be in regards to the first paragraph of this post.

[baffled_in_UK]

Hi,

Yes I am aware of the difference between Server & Client side processing, plus I'm aware of the security issues that prevent a PHP header() opening in a new window.

My question is can I put a javascript window open at 3a and expect the php to continue on the other page? (as you said "How do you open a new window in the context described above?").

Thanks.

[bradgrafelman]

baffled_in_UK wrote:

My question is can I put a javascript window open at 3a and expect the php to continue on the other page?

There isn't a continuation. The newly opened window would be a separate request, and you'd generate whatever content is appropriate for that window.

In the context of your application above, you could output the Javascript code to open a new window with a URL such as "shipping_note.php?orderId=1234" (where "1234" would be dynamically filled in with the appropriate order ID). Thus, in your shipping_note.php script, you'd generate the appropriate content for this popup window.

[baffled_in_UK]

Finally got the solution... my process was flawed.

On return to the Admin menu I'm sending a parameter and then doing a window.open in there if applicable.

thanks for your advice.